Who is the ‘Hawaiian shirt’ guy that tackled an arson suspect?
Posted October 10, 2019 1:43 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
EDMONTON – (CityNews) You may remember the video that went viral back in April of a man intentionally lighting vehicles on fire.
But it was the subsequent citizen’s arrest that many Edmontonians remember most about the incident.
WATCH: Shocking videos of vehicles burned by apparent arson
Especially the ‘Hawaiian Shirt Dude, who tackled the suspect in a Starbucks, with patrons sipping their coffee watching.
But who is the Magnum PI wannabe?
In a post on Facebook, photographer Jason Whiting says he is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.
“Well his name is Bert,” the post says.
“Bert really didn’t want any accolades and it took some convincing to get him to do the pictures and let me do this post but he did finally agree.”
The man identified from Lloydminster was apparently having dinner with his wife on Whyte Ave when ‘Bert’ seemingly came out of nowhere to tackle the man dressed all in black.
“Bert wasn’t on the street, he was in the middle of a meal, it wasn’t his vehicle being lit on fire, he wasn’t even close to being in harm’s way, yet he jumped into action,” the post went on to say.
The case shocked Edmontonians, who were scared and confused while the incident was happening.
In the video, the man appears to hold the jerry can towards people on the sidewalk, who kept their distance.
The video appears to show the man walking across the street, raising his arms and throwing the jerry can into the air as his backpack falls to the pavement. He then appears to continue walking, apparently waving at pedestrians.
Police said 13 vehicles were damaged but no one was hurt.
A 22-year-old man is facing various arson charges, possession of an incendiary material and assault with a weapon.
But it was that man in the Hawaiian shirt that many people remember about that Friday night.
“I have no background for the man in the red shirt, but I just want to say thank you for the actions that you took on Friday night,” said the man who recorded the viral video, who turned it over to police.
The person who put up the Facebook post added that this is the type of person Bert is.
“This is a testament to the type of person Bert is. Kind, quiet, gentle, loving, compassionate, and willing to step up when needed. He could care less about the popularity that grew from the wonderment of “Who is Hawaiian Shirt Guy” but is thankful for all the kind comments.”
–-With files from The Canadian Press
