NSW Police have charged a second 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.
Last week, strike force detectives charged a 33-year-old man over his alleged role in the incidents. He remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, investigators with the assistance of North West Metropolitan Operations Support Group (OSG), executed a search warrant at 8.30am yesterday (Tuesday 16 February 2021).
Officers seized over 20 mobile phones, ammunition, and several other items consistent with drug supply which were all taken for forensic examination.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with the following offences –
- Receiving stolen property where stealing a serious indictable offence x 6
- Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence x 2
- Destroy property in company use fire x 2
- Drive conveyance taken w/o consent of owner x 2
- Breaking out of dwelling after committing indictable offence
- Drive while licence cancelled
- Unlawful entry on prescribed lands
- Larceny
- Supply Prohibited Drug
- Good in Custody
- Supply, acquisition & possession of ammunition
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the incident at Rouse Hill in November last year.
He was refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Wednesday 17 February 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Calinda are continuing and further arrests are expected.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Calinda investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
