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Woman arrested after lighting clothes on fire in mall store

When officers arrived the suspect — who was holding a screwdriver — attempted to flee toward a crowd of bystanders who had gathered by the store’s entrance, police said.
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Police said a woman was arrested for arson, possession of a weapon and mischief. TIMES COLONIST FILE PHOTO

Victoria police used a Taser to subdue a woman who was lighting clothes on fire inside Mayfair Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The incident occurred at about 3 p.m. inside Aritzia, a store that sells women’s clothing and accessories.

Police said when officers arrived the suspect — who was holding a screwdriver — attempted to flee toward a crowd of bystanders who had gathered by the store’s entrance, so a conducted energy weapon, also known as a Taser, was deployed.

The suspect was arrested for arson, possession of a weapon and mischief. She was taken to hospital for evaluation, which is standard police practice when a Taser is deployed, said VicPD.

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