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Man charged with arson released

The man who admitted to burning the door of a suite at a local hotel was released on bail Monday.
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The man who admitted to burning the door of a suite at a local hotel was released on bail Monday.

Randolph Dionne, 57, is also facing an assault charge that predates the arson charge, which he admitted to committing to police.

On Sept. 25 Dionne attempted and failed to burn the door to a suite at the Bowmont Motel in an effort to retrieve his stolen mountain bike which he believed to be inside. He poured gasoline on the door and lit it on fire, though the gasoline burned quickly and there was minimal damage to the door and suite.

Dionne was arrested afterward and admitted that he attempted to burn the door to RCMP officers, he was then released on a promise to appear. Dionne ended up in custody after a strange series of run-ins with the police. Crown prosecutor Nashina Devji said Dionne attempted to intimidate the owner of a store and called 911 numerous times via text saying that he was being followed and asking that they deliver him cigarettes. Dionne has a prior criminal record with the last charge occurring in 1998. He was released with routine conditions including keeping the peace as well as a no-contact order with the woman involved in the alleged assault.

Dionne is expected back in court on Nov. 18 to consult counsel.