Police arrest alleged arsonist for fire rampage across Melbourne
After allegedly setting multiple fires across Melbourne, a man on an expired visa has been arrested weeks later in Cairns. Watch the video.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An Irishman accused of serial arson in Melbourne has been arrested.
James McArdle, 29, was detained at Cairns in north Queensland on Saturday by police in that state.
He was wanted on warrant by Melbourne CIU detectives over fires lit in inner-Melbourne late last year.
McArdle is expected to face 17 charges including seven counts of arson, unlawful assault and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Investigators have flown to Cairns on Monday to apply for his extradition.
The expected charges relate to:
A DECEMBER 3 fire at a Rosslyn St, West Melbourne, business.
A CAR fire, also in Rosslyn St, three days later.
A BLAZE at a Batman St, West Melbourne, apartment building on December 10.
TWO car fires in Rosslyn St on December 16.
A CAR fire at Little Lonsdale Street car park on December 22.
A FIRE at a Mercantile Place business the same day.
Mr McArdle is expected to be interviewed over seven other fires which are under investigation, police said.
He is expected to face Cairns Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Mr McArdle is currently illegally in the country with an expired visa.
Police issued a warrant for his arrest on December 23, as Victoria Police detective senior constable Mallory Bubb said she feared the alleged arsonist was a danger to the public.
“We’ve got a hot couple of days that are coming up and it is Christmas and school holidays so there’s certainly a lot of people about,” she said.
“(He’s) brazen, disturbing, very reckless and dangerous.
“His pattern of offending has escalated — initially it started during the night and now it’s escalating to day time events.”
Anyone with information on the incidents or on McArdle’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Mongols bikie accused of terrifying road rage incident on freeway
A Mongols bikie who was allegedly caught on dashcam assaulting a fellow motorcycle rider has also allegedly left a man with facial fractures after a late night “scuffle” outside his Mulgrave home.
Read more
From Disneyland to the big house: Jetsetting fraudster jailed
A jetsetting fraudster who stole more than half a million dollars from a vulnerable youth charity she ran has been jailed, swapping Disneyland for the inside of a prison cell.
Read more