York Police Release Suspect Images in Markham Restaurant Arson Investigation

York Regional Police have released images of two suspects and the vehicle believed to be connected to the overnight arson attacks on three Markham restaurants that occurred on April 14–15, 2026. The images, released Thursday, April 17, show the suspects and a Dodge Durango that was seen leaving the scenes of the fires in the early morning hours. Police are asking anyone who recognizes the individuals or the vehicle to come forward immediately.

The release of suspect imagery marks a significant development in what has been a high-profile investigation since the fires were first reported. YRP's District 5 Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) is leading the case, and investigators have been working around the clock since the initial incidents to gather surveillance footage, physical evidence, and witness accounts from the affected areas.

About the Suspect Images

The two individuals pictured in the released images have not been publicly identified by police. As is standard practice in active arson investigations, YRP released the images with a public appeal for information rather than pre-emptively disclosing identifying details. The Dodge Durango, which was observed near multiple fire scenes during the attack timeframe of approximately 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on April 15, is considered a key piece of evidence in the investigation.

Anyone who recognizes the individuals or the vehicle — particularly people who may have been in the vicinity of Markham Road between Major Mackenzie Drive and 16th Avenue, or near Highway 7 and 9th Line, during the early morning hours of April 15 — is urged to contact York Regional Police.

The Investigation So Far

The fires targeted two Pizza Hut locations and a Subway restaurant across three separate sites in Markham. No one was injured in any of the incidents, as the restaurants were closed at the time. The fires were set within a relatively short timeframe, leading investigators to work on the theory that the incidents may be connected and involve the same perpetrators.

YRP District 5 covers Markham and surrounding communities. The District 5 CIB has been working with fire investigators and other specialists to analyze evidence from each of the three locations. The release of suspect images suggests investigators have gathered sufficient visual evidence from surveillance systems in the area to make a public identification appeal worthwhile.

How to Submit a Tip

York Regional Police are asking members of the public to submit tips through the following channels:

• Contact York Regional Police directly through the non-emergency line or the District 5 Criminal Investigations Bureau
• Submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
• Use the YRP online tip portal available at yrp.ca

Police stress that even small pieces of information — a partial licence plate, a sighting of a Dodge Durango in the area, or any recognition of the individuals in the released images — can be critical in moving an investigation forward. Witnesses are encouraged to come forward even if they are not certain whether what they observed is relevant.

Broader Community Concern

The arson attacks drew significant community attention across Markham and the broader York Region. Franchise restaurant fires affect not just property owners but also the employees who depend on those businesses for their livelihoods. Each of the three affected locations serves a busy neighbourhood market, and the fires prompted concern among business owners across the city about overnight security.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti had previously praised the response of YRP District 5 and Superintendent Bott's team, noting the city's commitment to supporting the investigation and ensuring the safety of Markham's commercial districts. The release of suspect images is seen as a positive step toward resolution, and community members are being asked to play an active role in helping police bring those responsible to account.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional updates are expected as police process leads received in response to the public image release.

The Role of Public Tips in Arson Investigations

Arson investigations differ from many other criminal cases in that physical evidence at the fire scene can be significantly compromised by the fire itself and by the water and suppression agents used to extinguish it. This makes public tip intelligence — eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, and sightings of suspect vehicles — particularly valuable in arson cases. The release of the Dodge Durango imagery is a direct acknowledgment of this reality: investigators need the community's eyes to fill the evidential gaps that fire damage creates.

York Regional Police have a strong track record of working with the public in investigations of this kind. Community members are encouraged to review their own home security camera footage from the early morning hours of April 15 to see whether they captured anything that might be useful, even if their property is not in the immediate vicinity of the three fire sites. Footage of the Dodge Durango travelling through residential streets in the hours surrounding the fires could help investigators map the suspects' movements before and after the incidents.

For more local news and community updates across Markham and Richmond Hill, visit MarkhamBusiness.com.