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There is so far no indication from police that this is being investigated as a hate-motivated arson
Published Sep 05, 2026 • Last updated 1 minute ago • 4 minute read
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A man who appears to have a history of run-ins with the law now stands accused of deliberately setting vehicles ablaze at a member of parliament’s Scarborough home last month.
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Toronto Police say the alleged arson unfolded at a house – later identified as Liberal MP Salma Zahid’s residence – near Bellamy Rd. No. and Lawrence Ave. E. around 1:20 a.m. on Aug. 27.
“It is alleged that an unknown suspect approached several vehicles parked in the driveway of a residence,” police said in a statement released Friday. “The suspect poured an accelerant onto the vehicles.”
“The suspect ignited the accelerant on two of the vehicles, causing them to catch fire,” police said, adding three vehicles in all were damaged by the fire.
The arsonist fled the area in a vehicle that investigators described the day after the fire as a black Hyundai sedan.
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We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Arsonist nearly set himself on fire
At the time, police released video that showed the arsonist – dressed all in black and mased up – dumping a liquid from a large gas can on three vehicles in the home’s driveway and two vehicles on a parking pad attached to the driveway.
The person then puts down the gas can and lights one vehicle on fire.
But the arson didn’t go off without a hitch.
The video shows the first car quickly being engulfed in flames and then spreading to the gas can that was on the ground nearby.
The firebug can be seen picking up the flaming gas can and using it to ignite the accelerant on a second car. The arsonist then runs off and drops the flaming gas can at the end of the driveway where it can be seen burning on the ground next to a third vehicle.
Zahid, the MP for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East, posted a statement on X shortly after police released the video explaining her car and another vehicle were “destroyed” by the fire but her home was not damaged.
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“My family and I are all safe,” she said at the time. “We are grateful and relieved there was no further damage.”
Rather than “speculate on a possible motive,” Zahid said she would “await the results of the investigation.”
“But such attacks are unacceptable and will not deter me from my work serving Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East,” she added.
Mayor Olivia Chow and PM Mark Carney offer support
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also quickly took to X on Aug. 28 to express support for the Liberal MP.
“I am relieved to hear MP Zahid and her family are safe after a suspected arson at her home,” she said.
“Cowardly acts of violence and intimation cannot be tolerated and the police have my support in finding those responsible.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney was also quick to call the arson “a cowardly act of violence and intimidation”
“It is unacceptable,” he said in a message posted Aug. 28 on X. “It is not who we are as Canadians.”
Zahid later thanked Carney for his support in a subsequent message posted on X.
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“Thank you Prime Minister and everyone who has reached out with your love and support,” she said. “My family and I deeply appreciate it.”
On Friday, police revealed in a statement that investigators had identified a 24-year-old man as a suspect and arrested him on Aug. 30.
Roshvin Crofton is charged with arson causing damage to property; mischief over $5,000; conspiracy to commit an indictable offence; possession of incendiary material; and failure to comply with a probation order.
He is scheduled to attend court for a bail hearing on Tuesday.
Zahid subsequently issued a statement thanking police for their efforts.
“As the investigation is ongoing, we still do not have information with regards to a motive for this incident,” she said on X. “I am sure this will become apparent in time and I will await the facts before commenting any further.”
There is so far no indication from police that this is being investigated as a hate-motivated arson.
And police have not explained why Crofton was on probation.
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Prior run-ins with the law?
However, a man with the same name and age as the accused was arrested by Toronto Police in an auto theft investigation in October 2023. He was charged along with two other men with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and two counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000.
A man with the same name and age as the accused was also arrested in April 2024 by York Regional Police in an investigation into a Markham shooting that saw a man injured by gunfire the previous month. He was charged at that time with pointing a firearm, robbery with a firearm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, motor vehicle theft, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The Toronto Sun could not immediately confirm the Roshvin Crofton allegedly involved in those incidents is the same Roshvin Crofton now accused of arson, nor could the Sun determine the outcome of the 2023 and 2024 charges.
Investigators have now released images of Crofton and a suspect vehicle – a black 2025 Hyundai Sonata – that was seized as they work to identify and nab a second suspect thought to be involved in the arson.
Anyone with information about this incident, the identity of the second suspect, or who may have seen the suspect vehicle between Aug. 23 and the arson on Aug. 27 is urged to call police at 416-808-4300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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