Arrest follows vehicles set on fire in Alexandra

A man has been arrested and will appear before the courts charged with arson and stealing a motor vehicle in Alexandra in Central Otago on Monday.

At about 4am emergency services were called to a report of a fire in the Boundary Road industrial area, where two vehicles were located on fire.

Shortly after a further vehicle was reported stolen from the same area, and it was later located abandoned in a rural area on the outskirts of the town.

After a scene examination fire investigators determined the car fires to be arson.

The 33 year old was arrested on Monday afternoon.

He is due to appear in the Queenstown court today on charges of arson and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Waugh says police are pleased to have been able to quickly locate the offender.

“Vehicle theft and damage are frustrating crimes for victims, especially in areas like this where most people rely heavily on their vehicles to carry out their day-to-day life.

“We’re pleased to have put a stop to this man’s offending and placed him before the courts, where he can be held to account for his actions.”