A man has been charged as the police investigation continues into alleged arsons at a south-western Sydney function centre, NSW Police say.
Strike Force Babel was established by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Arson Unit and Bankstown Local Area Command, to investigate two fires that police suspect were deliberately lit at a function centre on Restwell Street, Bankstown, in December 2016 and January 2017.
Emergency services were called to the first fire about 4.45am on Boxing Day (Monday 26 December 2016). The blaze was extinguished a short time later, but had caused major smoke damage.
About 6pm eight days later (Tuesday 3 January 2017), emergency services were called to another fire, which caused significant structural damage.
As part of the on-going investigation, Strike Force Babel detectives arrested a 28-year-old man at Emu Plains just after 5.45pm yesterday (Friday 22 December 2017).
He is the third person to be arrested as part of the investigation.
The man was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with two counts of accessory before the fact to dishonesty for gain, damage or destroy property by fire.
The Greystanes man was refused bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 23 December 2017).
Investigations are continuing.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Babel investigators to call Crime Stoppers.
