Man arrested for alleged arson & robbery attack in Bondi, NSW
A man will face court today after allegedly breaking into two homes and a pub in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs last week, and stealing cash, alcohol, and a car, which was later set alight.
About 10pm on Thursday (21 November 2019), police attempted to stop a Ford Falcon, which was driving the wrong direction on a one-way street in Double Bay.
The male driver – and sole occupant – stopped briefly before driving off at speed. A police pursuit was initiated but terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Police conducted numerous inquiries but were unable to locate the vehicle or its driver.
Just before midnight, police were called to a home on Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, following reports a man allegedly armed with a baseball bat had broken in and demanded the keys to a vehicle.
The man allegedly stole cash and bottle of whisky before fleeing the home.
While responding, police were called to another break-in on Coolong Road, Vaucluse, where a man had allegedly threatened residents with a baseball bat and stolen cash and a black Land Rover.
About 12.30am on Friday (22 November 2019), police and fire-fighters were called to the intersection of Miller and Castlefield Streets at Bondi, where the stolen Land Rover was located on fire.
The fire was extinguished, and the vehicle was seized for forensic examination.
Crime scenes were established at each of the locations and examined by specialist forensic officers.
While police were conducting searches for the man, they were alerted to reports a man had been sighted by residents in backyards at Bondi Beach, before being flagged down by security at a licensed hotel on Beach Road, who said a man had broken in and stolen a bottle of whisky.
On seeing police, the man attempted to run from the location, but was arrested a short distance away.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station before being taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment.
The man was released back into police custody about 11.30pm yesterday (Saturday 23 November 2019), and returned to Waverley Police Station.
He was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, two counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, damage property by fire, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and break and enter and steal.
The Towradgi man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 24 November 2019).
Article: Police Media Unit
Photos: OnScene Bondi
