A woman has been charged 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.
So far during the investigation, detectives have charged two men – aged 26 and 33 – over their alleged roles in the incidents. They both remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, Strike Force Calinda investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Oxley Park from 6am yesterday (Tuesday 9 March 2021).
During the search, officers seized an amount of methylamphetamine (ice), documentation, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
All items will undergo further examination.
Just before 8am today (Wednesday 10 March 2021), a 28-year-old woman was arrested at Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with 13 offences including;
- Accessory before the fact damage property by fire/explosion (greater than $15,000),
- hinder investigation serious indictable offence of other (x2),
- possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit,
- goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle x2),
- goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle x2),
- steal motor vehicle,
- dispose motor vehicle part – theft (serious indictable offence),
- receive property – theft (serious indictable offence),
- dispose motor vehicle part – theft (serious indictable offence), and,
- supply prohibited drug.
She was refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Calinda are continuing.
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.
