Logan Sieben was a volunteer firefighter with the Mackin Fire Department
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested and charged a 25-year-old man in connection with a series of hay and grass fires in the Macklin community.
The RCMP announced on Aug. 28 that officers arrested Logan Sieben of Macklin on Aug. 26 after examining evidence, including surveillance video.
"Within the last month we responded to over 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires," Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP said in a statement. "These fires resulted in property loss and greatly impacted our local farmers. Thanks to the diligent work of our RCMP investigators and our partnership and collaboration with Macklin Fire Department, we have now made an arrest and laid charges."
Sieben faces the following charges:
· one count, arson causing mischief, Section 434, Criminal Code;
· one count, arson with intent to defraud, Section 435(1), Criminal Code; and
· one count, theft under $5000, Section 334, Criminal Code.
The arson mischief charge carries a sentence of up to 14 years in jail if convicted; an accused can face up to 10 years in prison for arson with intent to defraud. The punishment for theft under $5,000 could be up to two years in jail.
Logan Sieben Facebook photo.
The Macklin Fire Department and Unity RCMP have investigated more than 15 suspicious hay and grass fires since the end of July.
The investigation got to a point where the fire department offered a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
As of Aug. 27, the reward grew to $26,500, Macklin & District Fire/Rescue Facebook page says.
That reward won’t be paid out since the case was solved internally, the Canadian Press reported.
A part of the situation the community is coming to grips with is that Sieben was a member of the Macklin Fire Department.
Sieben joined the volunteer fire department in 2016.
“It is with profound sadness that we report this individual was a member of the fire department,” Chief Justin Bast said in a statement on the department’s Facebook page. “We deeply apologize to the public and hope that you understand that this rash of incidents, due to one individual’s actions, in no way represents the Macklin Fire department, its members or what we stand for. We want to thank everyone for their support, assistance and understanding.”
Sieben is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Unity on Nov. 18.
Top photo: SashaFoxWalters/Getty Images