Tenant charged in Oshawa triplex arson; Brampton trucker on speeding rap

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries

Published May 12, 2026  •  Last updated 4 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

A Durham Regional Police Service vehicle. Photo by Chris Doucette /Toronto Sun

An Oshawa man is accused of intentionally setting a weekend fire at his residence.

Article content

Durham Regional Police say emergency crews were called around 3:40 p.m. Saturday to a triplex in the Ortona Ave. and Bloor St. E. area of the city.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

Officers were told that “a tenant of the triplex was responsible for intentionally starting the fire,” police said Tuesday in a release.

The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries from the blaze.

All other occupants were safely evacuated without injuries.

On Monday, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence to gather evidence.

Phil John Layng, 57, is charged with arson/disregard for human life and was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1705 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

BRAMPTON TRUCKER ON SPEEDING RAP

A trucker from Brampton is charged with stunt driving after OPP say he was nabbed at more than 40 km/h over the posted speed limit.

Officers on patrol on Monday on County Road 47 near Sideroad 5 in the township of Ramara recorded a commercial motor vehicle going at 103 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

Article content

Lovedeep Singh, 31, was charged with stunt driving and had his driver’s licence suspended for 30 days. The vehicle also was impounded for 14 days.

Anyone with information or who witnesses dangerous driving is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers.

PICKERING HOUSE FIRE ‘SUSPICIOUS’

Cops in Pickering are probing a fire they are dubbing “suspicious.”

On Saturday at 2:20 a.m., crews were called to Kerrydale Ave. and Marchington Square for “a home fully engulfed in flames.”

No injuries were reported.

Durham Regional Police ask anyone who was in the area between 1:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. who has cellphone, dash cam or surveillance footage, or information, to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1905 or Crime Stoppers.

TRIO SOUGHT IN AJAX HOME INVASION

Three gun-toting thugs are being sought after a home invasion in Ajax injured the victims.

Durham cops say three people “brandishing firearms” broke into a Cranston Ave. and Carpendale Cres. residence on Saturday at 2:35 a.m. and stole electronics before assaulting the occupants, then fleeing.

The victims suffered minor injuries. No other information was released.

Anyone who was in the area from 1:30 a.m.-3 a.m. and has video or information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355 or Crime Stoppers.

Article content