Policeman's cars torched outside home

Category: Arsonist

Saturday, January 23, 2010
A FAR Northern police officer had two of his cars torched yesterday morning while they were parked outside his house at Holloways Beach.

The vehicles, both four-wheel-drive Toyota LandCruisers, were set alight about 2.45am.

Neighbours raised the alarm after smoke was seen rising from the cars’ roofs.

Police would not say if the attack had anything to do with the man’s profession and refused to comment on his position in the police service.

Charred remains from the cars could be seen lining the gutter outside the house yesterday afternoon.

Far Northern regional crime co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said police had no information to suggest the incident was anything but random.

"We’re interviewing a number of people around the Holloways Beach area and detectives from Smithfield CIB are investigating and we’re appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward," he said.

The vehicles have been towed to a holding yard for forensic tests.

Both cars were gutted with only the tyres remaining unaffected.

Anyone with information on the fire attacks should contact Smithfield police on 4057 1900 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.