VANESSA HALL
EDITOR
*UPDATE*
Police have charged a man following three suspicious car fires in Yaroomba and Coolum on July 18. Investigations led police to arrest a 31-year-old Coolum Beach man last night, July 30. He has been charged with three counts of arson – motor vehicle and one count of attempted arson – motor vehicle. He is due to appear in Noosa Magistrates Court on August 27.
On the night of Thursday, July 18, three cars were set alight during a one-hour period between 9 and 10pm, and Police are seeking info from the local community.
The three suspicious car fires were located in Yaroomba along Warran Road and in Coolum along Tharra St.
Police have stated that on the night in question just after 9pm, emergency services were called to Warran Road in Yaroomba following reports a black Honda CR-V was on fire.
A call was received around 9.30pm after a green Suzuki Ignis was set on fire on Tharra Street in Coolum.
Another fire occurred along Warran Road in Yaroomba at 9.45pm after a Mazda 121 hatchback was found to be on fire.
A resident of Tharra St stated that just before the fire broke out they heard what sounded like music and the “swoosh” of an electric scooter or bike.
“About 9 last night we heard some music playing and didn’t think anything of it and we didn’t hear a car, it definitely sounded like an E-bike,” the resident stated.
“Then at roughly 9.20 we heard a loud bang and then we heard the next-door neighbour banging on the window- I’m assuming to wake up the owner of the car and then I went outside and saw that half of the car was on fire.”
The owner of the car located on Tharra St was staying in the house it was parked in front of, and the car had been set alight where it was parked.
Investigators are seeking assistance from anyone who may have been in the area between Warran Road in Yaroomba and Tharra Street in Coolum between 9 and 10pm on the night of Thursday, July 18 to contact police.
Police are appealing to anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV vision and any witnesses to come forward.
Please report any information to either 131 444 or 1800 333 000.