A Sundre father and son who face fraud charges stemming from the arson of their Calgary-based business are scheduled later next week to enter their pleas and elect the manner in which to be tried.
Nicolas Rocco Gallipoli, 28, of Sundre, was recently charged with arson causing damage to property, arson causing damage to own property and risking others, as well as arson for a fraudulent purpose. His father Mario Rocco Gallipoli, 62, also of Sundre, has been charged with one count of fraud over $5,000.
“Evidence located at the scene clearly indicated the fire was not accidental,” Det. Torrie Killam previously told the Round Up.
Although he could not discuss the details of the arson as the case is before the courts, Killam said the cause of the fire was suspicious right from the onset of the investigation. It wasn't a mystery as to how it started, but rather who was behind it, he said.
The Calgary Police Service Arson Unit charged the two Sundre males in connection with the arson, which occurred last September. At about 2:25 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, an alarm was triggered, indicating a break-in at a business called Tail Lights Truck & Auto in a strip mall located in the 6000 block of 6th Street SE. Shortly afterwards, a report of a fire at the same address came in, said police.
The Calgary Fire Department attended the scene and protected neighbouring businesses from further damage. The building was deemed unstable and damage was estimated at $500,000, said police.
The case is scheduled to be back before court in Calgary this Thursday, June 30.
