Man charged with Nelson rural arsons

Nelson Bays Police have arrested a man and charged him in relation to a series of arsons in rural forestry blocks.

The arrest comes as a result of an intensive 15 week joint investigation between Tasman District Police, Nelson Forests Ltd and the Rural Fire Network Ltd.

A search warrant was executed at an address in the Murchison area on 19 April 2012 with the assistance of the Nelson Armed Offenders Squad.

As a result a 71 year old man was arrested and charged with three counts of arson.

The charges relate to a number of deliberately lit fires in the forests south of Nelson between 4 February 2012 and 6 April 2012.

The man has also been charged with three offences relating to the unlawful possession of firearms, two charges relating to the possession of a large amount of ammunition and a charge relating to the possession of cannabis for supply. Those charges came as a result of a search of his address.

The man will appear in the Nelson District Court on 20 April 2012.