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Porirua man arrested for two suspicious fires in Wainuiomata over weekend

Tuesday 7 June 2011, 8:04AM

By New Zealand Police

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PORIRUA

A man has been charged in connection to two suspicious fires in Wainuiomata that occurred over the weekend.

Police in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington are jointly investigating a series of unexplained fires, which have occurred over the past few days.

Officer in charge of the Lower Hutt CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell says a 43 year old Porirua man is now facing charges of arson, after being located by Police in Johnsonville around 10pm last night.

He appeared in the Wellington District Court this morning charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and theft, for which he was remanded on bail.

Lower Hutt Police have this afternoon spoken to this man in relation to two suspicious fires over the weekend at Wainuiomata Gospel Hall and Wainuiomata Pioneer Church. He will appear in the Lower Hutt District Court on these two charges tomorrow morning.

D/S/S Paul Borrell says Police in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington are jointly investigating a number of other suspicious fires which have occurred over the past two days.

"These include fires at churches in Cannons Creek, Pauatahanui, Wainuiomata, Tony's Tyre Service in Porirua, a Scout hall in Seatoun, a rubbish truck fire in Petone, Horouta ki Poneke Marae in Porirua, an unoccupied house near Kenepuru Hospital, a fire in a Porta Loo near Takapu Road railway station in Tawa and an unoccupied factory in Newtown, which occurred in the early hours of this morning."

He says at this stage, Police are working to establish whether these other suspicious fires are linked. Enquiries and scene examinations are continuing.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a grey 1989 Toyota Corona liftback vehicle in the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington areas over the weekend. This vehicle is connected to the Wainuiomata Pioneer Church fire early last night. The registration number is OL4223. The vehicle also has a missing hub cap on the front left tyre."

Paul Borrell says, "Any sightings of this vehicle over the weekend will assist Police in helping to determine whether a link exists."

Anyone with any information on this vehicle or regarding any of the suspicious fires over the weekend should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or phone Lower Hutt Police on (04) 560 2600.