Police have arrested a man as investigations continue into three separate arson attacks at supplement stores across Sydney over the past two years.
Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit established Strike Force Calinda to investigate three alleged arson attacks at supplement stores between July 2019 and November 2020, which are believed to be targeted and linked.
The incidents include –
- About 1.30am on Thursday 25 July 2019, emergency services were called to a business at Queens Street, St Marys, following reports of a fire. The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and the business sustained significant damage. No injuries were reported during the incident. Police were told, two men had been seen allegedly attempting to enter the premises, before breaking through the security shutters and setting the business on fire. The pair were last seen fleeing the area on foot on Chapel Street toward East Lane. A crime scene was established, and initial inquiries were conducted by detectives from Nepean Police Area Command.
- Just after 4.10am on Saturday 14 November 2020, emergency services were called to the same business at Queens Street, St Marys, following reports of a fire. The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and the business sustained significant damage. No injuries were reported during the incident. During initial inquiries, police identified that a black Audi sedan reversed into the store, ramming the security shutters, before an unknown man exited the vehicle and allegedly set the business on fire. The Audi was last seen travelling east along Debrincat Avenue heading toward the Mt Druitt area.
- About 4.30am on Wednesday 25 November 2020, emergency services were called to a business at Market Lane, Rouse Hill, following reports of a fire. The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and the business sustained significant damage. No injuries were reported during the incident. Initial inquiries revealed an unknown man allegedly broke the front door with a hammer before setting the premises on fire. The man was seen leaving the area in a black Nissan QASHQAI on Market Lane.
Following the release of CCTV, a public appeal for information and extensive investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 33-year-old man at Rooty Hill just before 10am today (Wednesday 3 February 2021).
He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where charges are expected to be laid.
Investigations under Strike Force Calinda are continuing and further arrests are expected.
