Police have poured cold water on an alleged firebug¡¯s repeat offending in Pukekohe.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, Counties Manukau CIB, says Police have been making enquiries into a number of alleged arsons in the area.
¡°In the early hours of Friday 19 January, emergency services responded to reports of a series of rubbish bin fires in Pukekohe CBD.
¡°These fires caused considerable damage to nearby retail properties.¡±
A few weeks later, Police were called to two separate incidents on the morning of Saturday 17 February.
¡°Emergency services received two reports within a short timeframe of fires on public busses, both of which caused internal damage.
¡°Both incidents prompted an emergency stop by the bus drivers and passengers on board were required to evacuate.¡±
Thankfully, no injuries were reported in relation to either of those incidents.
Counties Manukau South CIB staff have since made extensive enquiries into the incidents.
¡°As a result of our investigation, and with the assistance of a number of other workgroups within Police, we located a person of interest,¡± Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.
¡°A 36-year-old male was arrested and is now before the Papakura District Court on arson-related charges.
¡°He has been remanded in custody and will reappear in due course.¡±
Enquiries into the incidents remain ongoing and Police are not ruling out further charges as our investigations continue.
ENDS.
Anna Thompson/51½ÖÉä