Teenager charged after alleged arson attacks on Merrylands barber shop

A boy, 16, has been charged after two suspected arson attacks on a Merrylands barber shop, with dramatic CCTV capturing one man accidentally setting himself alight.

Man flees scene after suspected arson attack on Merrylands barber shop. Clumsy arsonist who set himself alight trying to burn down a western Sydney barbershop. Picture: Supplied

A 16-year-old boy has been charged following an investigation into two alleged arson attacks on a barber shop in Sydney’s west in May.

It comes as police said they have linked the business to an organised criminal network.

The boy was arrested on Tuesday following an investigation into the separate fires at the Merrylands Barber Shop, Merrylands Rd, on May 8 and 9.

Incredible CCTV footage from the first arson attack shows the man, dressed head to toe in black, running along Merrylands Rd in at about 4am, carrying two objects – one of them a red jerry can filled with petrol.

But as he sets the fuel alight the man also goes up in flames himself, stopping, dropping and rolling around in bushes alongside the footpath as he tries to put out the fire.

Less than 24 hours later, just after 3am, May 9, police responded to reports of another fire at the same location.

Clumsy arsonist who set himself alight trying to burn down a western Sydney barbershop. Picture: Supplied

Fire crews were able to extinguish the second blaze before it took hold.

About the same time, Police attempted to stop a silver Hyundai i30 with allegedly cloned plates on Sherwood Rd in Merrylands West, initiating a pursuit that was later called off due to safety concerns as it moved through Woodpark and Wentworthville.

The clumsy alleged arsonist who set himself alight trying to burn down a western Sydney barbershop. Picture: Supplied

A man seen fleeing the scene after suspected arson attack on Merrylands barber shop. The clumsy alleged arsonist was set alight. Picture: Supplied

The incidents prompted an investigation by the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit under Strike Force Bechem, which later became part of Taskforce Falcon, a broader operation targeting violent crime across metropolitan Sydney.

Police investigating an arson attack in Sydney’s west, the same shop was hit again less than 24-hours later. Picture: Aymon Bertah

On May 23, police located the allegedly stolen Hyundai in Glenwood where inside investigators found jerry cans containing accelerant and bleach.

Following further inquiries, the 16-year-old boy was arrested at Penrith Police Station about 10.20am on Tuesday.

Police at the scene in Merrylands. Picture: Aymon Bertah

He was charged with multiple offences, including two counts of aggravated break and enter with intent to commit a serious indictable offence; damaging property worth between $5,000 and $15,000; driving a stolen vehicle; driving while disqualified; and failing to disclose the identity of others involved.

He was refused bail and appeared in a children’s court the same day.

Police will allege the teen was behind both arson attacks and that the targeted barber shop is linked to a high-profile organised criminal network.

Investigations under Taskforce Falcon remain ongoing.

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