Police are still seeking information on the arson that brought the Steelworkers Hall on Frood Road crumbling to the ground on Sept. 19.
Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers has increased the reward from $1,000 up to $15,000, as a result of donations from Steelworkers Local 6500 and Local 2020 in Sudbury, United Steelworkers of Sault Ste. Marie, and United Steelworkers International, who added $10,000 to the total.
“Next to losing a family member, this is the most traumatic event in my life,” said Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers International. “We are more than happy to to pay that reward if is helps find the person(s) that caused this.
People with information on the arson, are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 675-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit an online tip on the secure website, www.sudburycrimestoppers.com. An anonymous text can also be sent to TIP267 to CRIMES (274637).
“We believe somebody in this community knows who started this fire,” Chief of Police Ian Davidson said. “We need somebody with the courage to stand up for this community, to stand up for the community and to stand up for the Steelworkers to come forward and assist us in solving this absolutely horrendous criminal event.”
The reward will be offered for tips received before noon on Monday, Oct. 6, if the information leads to an arrest. Should the tip be received after noon on that day, the standard process for determining reward amounts will apply.
Police have still not released the cause or origin of the fire. The Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS) has had full-time investigator working on the arson since it happened.
“We have interviewed many people in this community and the scene has been forensically processed,” Davidson said. “We have been fortunate to receive many calls from the public, as well as many calls through Crime Stoppers.”
Davidson announced that as of Monday, the GSPS has created a full-time arson task force for the city.
“The task force will include four full-time police officers, as well as a crime analyst to deal with this particular crime, but also any other arson that may or may not be related to this particular event,” Davidson said. “The officers are completely committed to this.
“This is a critical investigation for the police service because of the history, but also because of how devastating it is to the Steelworkers and to people who rely on this hall,” he added.
