Owner charged in St. Paul business arson.

Owner/operator of Power Merchants, Jerry Bidulock has been charged with arson of two of his business locations in St. Paul.

On Aug. 7, 2018 at approximately 5:30 a.m., St. Paul RCMP, Mallaig Fire, and St. Paul Fire responded to two commercial structure fires in the Town of St. Paul.

Both structures were Power Merchant locations, one the retail space and the other a storage location.

Both fires were extinguished and there were no reported injuries. Preliminary information suggested the fires were not accidental in nature.

The cause and origins of the fires were thoroughly investigated by St. Paul RCMP and St. Paul Fire. Further investigation determined the fires were deliberately set to the buildings as a result of arson.

On March 15, 2019, St. Paul RCMP and the Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU) arrested Jerry Bidulock of Innisfail Alta.

Bidulock is the registered owner of the business.

He was arrested in Edmonton and charged with arson to own property (x2) and arson for a fraudulent purpose. He was released from custody and will be appearing in St. Paul Provincial Court on April 25, 2019.

Background:

St. Paul RCMP investigate suspected arson

St. Paul, Alberta – On Aug. 7, 2018 at approximately 5:30 a.m. St. Paul RCMP, Mallaig Fire, and St. Paul Fire responded to two commercial structure fires in the Town of St. Paul. Both fires have been extinguished and there is no concern for public safety. Preliminary information suggests the fires were not accidental in nature. The cause and origins of the fires are being investigated by the RCMP and Forensic Identification Section.

Police are urging the public to provide any information they may have in relation to these fires. If you have information about this case, please contact the St. Paul RCMP Detachment at 780­645­8870. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1­800­222­8477 (TIPS), or by internet atwww.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash reward.

30­