Ont. men accused of murder, arson in 2024 Melancthon Twp. homicide appear in court

The body was discovered near Chinguacousy Road and King Street in Caledon.

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A pair of Mississauga men police believe are responsible in the murder of a Melancthon Twp. man in early 2024 appeared in an Orangeville courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

It has been two years since David Robson, 65, was found dead on the side of the road in Caledon as police searched for those responsible and the man’s missing vehicle.

29-year-old Jacek Trela has been charged with first-degree murder, arson, and committing an indignity to a dead body. Trela made his first court appearance in Orangeville bail court alongside 42-year-old Piotr Olszewski, who is charged with arson and being an accessory after-the-fact to murder.

• Caledon homicide investigation ends in arrest
• Missing man’s death deemed a homicide after his body is found roadside, his home burned

Court records obtained by CTV News show Olszewski was charged 11 years ago after six garbage bins were set on fire in downtown Toronto. He was charged with six counts of arson, possession of incendiary material, and failing to comply with probation.

Police believe Robson, whose body was discovered April 1, 2024, along Chinguacousy Road in Caledon owned a farm in Melancthon Twp. and died days prior. Loved ones had last heard from Robson on March 21, around the time investigators said his home went up in flames.

Friends told CTV News it was not the first time a fire had broken out on his property; where Robson rented out units and often gave those in need a place to live. It was believed Robson was thinking of selling the property prior to his death.

• Billboard used to catch a killer

The arrests come less than a month after provincial police posted billboards seeking help from the public to crack the case. Police have also been searching for Robson’s missing Black 2017 Kia Sportage.

The accused remain in custody and are scheduled to make their next appearance in an Orangeville courtroom in May. The allegations against them have not been tested in court.