Strike Force Vulcan investigators have charged two people in relation to a series of bushfires lit in Wellard, Parmelia, Calista, The Spectacles and Leda between Wednesday 21 February 2024 and Saturday 9 March 2024.
It will be alleged the following 15 fires were lit:
– 21/02/2024 – Approx. 8:30pm – Fire started in bushland on Henley Boulevard, Wellard
– 21/02/2024 – Approx. 8:35pm – Fire started in bushland on Meares Avenue, Parmelia
– 21/02/2024 – Approx. 8:35pm – Second fire started in bushland on Meares Avenue, Parmelia
– 21/02/2024 – Approx. 8:50pm – Fire started in bushland on the opposite side of Wellard Road, Calista, near a golf course.
– 21/02/2024 – Approx. 8:55pm – Fire started in bushland along Wellard Road, Calista.
– 22/02/2024 – Approx. 7:00pm – Five (5) bushfires lit on Anketell Road, McLaughlin Road and at the intersection of Mclaughlin Road and Thomas Road, all in The Spectacles.
– 08/03/2024 – Approx. 4:00am – Fire started in bushland on Wellard Road, Leda.
– 08/03/2024 – Approx. 7:15am Fire started in bushland on Wellard Road, Leda.
– 08/03/2024 – Approx. 7:30am – Fire started in bushland on Sloan Drive, Leda
– 08/03/2024 – Approx. 7:30am – Second fire started in bushland on Sloan Drive, Leda
– 09/03/2024 – Approx. 11:35pm – Fire started in bushland on Wellard Road, Leda
The fires resulted in areas of bushland between 5 x 5 metres and 20m x 10m in size being burnt.
Yesterday, Wednesday 20 March 2024, a 32-year-old Leda man and a 36-year-old Leda woman were arrested. They have both since been charged with 15 counts of ‘Wilfully light or cause to be lit a fire likely to injure or damage’.
The man was refused bail, and is due to appear in Rockingham Magistrates Court today, Thursday 21 March 2024. The woman is due to appear in the same court on Friday 19 April 2024.
A WA Police Force spokesperson said vision provided by the public provided crucial information to investigators.
“During the course of the investigation members of the public provided Strike Force Vulcan investigators with CCTV and dash-cam vision.
“That vision was able to be used to bolster intelligence holdings and assist investigators to progress the investigation to the point where arrests were made.
“We thank the community for their support and encourage anyone who has information regarding bushfires, or suspicious activity in the vicinity of bushland, to report the information to Crime Stoppers, or if the suspicious activity is ongoing call Police immediately on 131 444.”
Rewards of up to $25,000 are available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of an arsonist. Anyone with information regarding arson is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
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