A man and woman will face court today after allegedly starting at fire at a property in the state’s south last month, NSW Police say.
Just after 1am on Sunday 22 April 2018, emergency services were called to a property on Billilingra Road, Billilingra, following reports a hay shed was on fire, which had spread to the neighbouring property.
Upon arrival, the Rural Fire Service extinguished the blaze. Both properties and both hay sheds were extensively damaged.
No one was injured during the fire.
Rural Crime Investigators established a crime scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators from the Rural Crime Prevention team, executed a search warrant at a home on Soho Street, Cooma, just after 11am yesterday (Wednesday 9 May 2018).
A 22-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station.
The pair have both been charged with destroy property in company by fire.
The two have been refused bail and are due to appear at Cooma Local Court today (Thursday 10 May 2018).
State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside, said NSW Police are committed to reducing rural crime and encourage all farmers to report incidents no matter how big or small.
"Rural crime can have a devastating effect on farmers and the wider community," said Det Insp Whiteside.
"The obvious priority is to target those individuals and groups that threaten the safety and livelihood of others.
"This is just one example of how police and the community working together can achieve results," Det Insp Whiteside said.
Further charges are expected.
