[Accused] Arsonist released on bail
The Montreal Gazette [Quebec]
Friday, May 23, 2008
MONTREAL – A Quebec court judge has released a McGill University research scientist, charged with torching a Montreal police cruiser, on bail of $5,000 and a promise to go to hospital to be examined by a specialist.
Lonny Erickson, 40, was arrested just after midnight on Wednesday after a cop from Station 35 in Rosemont district saw a man trying to set fire to a police car parked in the station’s Bélanger St. parking lot.
The man, who was in possession of accelerant, tried to escape but was arrested near the corner of Bélanger and St. André Sts., Constable Anie Lemieux reported. The vehicle was a total loss.
Erickson was arraigned Friday on charges of arson, possession of material for arson purposes and mischief causing damages of $5,000 or more.
Judge Serge Boisvert imposed a publication ban on the hearing. Among the bail conditions, Erickson had to surrender his passport, stay at home from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., inform police if he has to travel, to take any medication prescribed by doctors and not consume or have in his possession any illicit drugs, medication not prescribed by a physician or alcohol.
Erickson has a doctorate in public health, a master’s degree in clinical sciences, and a B.Sc. in physiology from McGill.
Confrontation 
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