Police have laid charges against at 24 year old local man in relation to three suspicious fires at locations along McLaughlins Road in Darfield at the weekend.
On Sunday 12 October Police and local Fire Service volunteers attended three suspicious fires just outside Darfield township. A barn was severely damaged in one of the fires and may have to be demolished. In another a tree line was set alight and a tractor which was parked in a paddock suffered significant damage when it was set alight in a third fire.
Local farmers and the volunteer fire fighters helped Police teams establish cordons, provided local knowledge and sightings of a suspect and helped with the search. Police dogs and handlers were also involved in the search. One of the volunteer fire fighters offered to fly his helicopter over the area to help locate the suspect and the helicopter was instrumental in keeping them within the cordoned area which was surrounded by farmland.
The suspect was located approximately 3.5hrs later within the cordon boundary. He was arrested and has been charged with two counts of Arson and one count of Wilful Damage. He will appear in Christchurch District Court at the start of November 2014.
Canterbury Police are extremely grateful for the help they received from local farmers, residents and of course the volunteer fire fighters. This is an excellent example of the Police, Fire Service and the community working together.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404