SouthernWorldwide.com – A Canadian teenager is facing charges of arson after allegedly setting fire to a charter bus belonging to an American professional baseball team. The incident occurred while the team was on a road trip to Winnipeg, Canada.
The Kane County Cougars, an independent professional baseball team based in the U.S., were in Canada to play games against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The team’s charter bus was discovered engulfed in flames outside Blue Cross Park on May 21.
Winnipeg Police Service responded to the scene. Authorities quickly determined that the fire was not accidental and had been intentionally set. Initially, two teenagers were taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Read more : Trump Administration Targets Brazil's Largest Drug Cartels
One of the individuals, a 15-year-old girl, has since been formally charged. She faces charges of arson causing damage to property and possession of incendiary material. Following her arrest, the teenager was released into the care of a responsible adult, according to police statements.
The Winnipeg Police Service stated in a release that the “entire bus and contents were destroyed” as a result of the fire. This represents a significant loss for the baseball team and its operations.
Jackson Greteman, operations manager for Windstar, the company that owns the bus, expressed disappointment over the incident. He noted that the loss of the vehicle would have a considerable impact on the company’s business and day-to-day operations.
Greteman also conveyed relief that no one was injured during what he described as a “reckless act of vandalism.” He confirmed that Windstar is cooperating fully with the local authorities as they continue their investigation into the matter.
The estimated cost of the damage to the 56-seat bus, along with the destruction of its contents and equipment, is approximately $425,000. This substantial financial loss underscores the severity of the alleged crime.
As of the latest reports, authorities have not yet publicly disclosed any potential motives behind the alleged arson. The investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as it progresses.
