Brodie Sanderson, Matthew Maher charged with arson, apply for bail

Police allege CCTV footage captured the moment two men, with “deplorable criminal history”, allegedly broke into a police impoundment lot and torched a luxury car.

Two men have been charged with arson following a fire that destroyed a Range Rover and did $100k of damage at a police holding yard.

Details have emerged in court documents how two men allegedly torched and destroyed a car at a police impoundment facility, causing $100,000 in damage.

Brodie David Sanderson, 27, and co-accused Matthew James Maher, 30, appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 13 via video link to apply for bail.

Court documents show Mr Sanderson and Mr Maher are accused by police of setting fire to a police vehicle impoundment lot at Bli Bli on June 4, 2023.

The documents stated a Range Rover was stolen from a Belli Park home on June 3 by two people breaking into an office and taking the car keys for the car.

A witness spotted the car later that morning on the side of the Bruce Hwy and contacted police.

The Traffic Response Unit directing traffic were later approached by a man who said he was getting the car towed.

They told the man the vehicle was stolen and police were nearby, and the man immediately left, documents stated.

The Range Rover was taken to the police impoundment lot at Bli Bli for examination.

At 6.15am on June 4 CCTV footage showed a person, who police alleged had the Range Rover’s car keys, walking around the outside of the facility with the car’s lights flashing and boot opening.

Court documents allege Mr Sanderson and Mr Maher were later captured on CCTV again visiting Bunnings and concealing a pair of work gloves while buying bolt cutters at the store.

It is alleged that at 9.41am that day the pair, wearing face masks, cut open the wire fence to break into the facility.

Mr Maher placed a rag on the ground while Mr Sanderson poured liquid accelerant throughout the car and onto the rag, it is alleged.

Court documents state it is also alleged by police Mr Maher then used a lighter to ignite the rag and threw it into car, causing it to catch fire.

It is alleged the vehicle was “completely destroyed” and the surrounding building and structure also caught fire.

Court documents state the car was insured for $90,000 and the damage done to the building was estimated to be worth $111,312.

On July 12, police executed a search warrant at Mr Sanderson’s address and seized the clothes and bolt cutters shown in CCTV footage, it is alleged.

The court was told Mr Sanderson was on two separate suspended sentences at the time of the alleged offence and Mr Maher was on parole.

Defence lawyer Michael Robertson said Mr Sanderson works as a water borer with his father, and suggested he wear an ankle bracelet and abide to a curfew if he were released on bail.

Police prosecutor Amanda Brewer said bail was opposed due to “deplorable criminal history” in regard to both Mr Sanderson and Mr Maher.

Duty lawyer Katie Paterson who appeared on behalf of Mr Maher said the “strength of the evidence is strong” against him.

Mr Maher works as a carpenter contractor and if convicted, he would “likely serve a period of imprisonment,” Ms Paterson said.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist refused bail for both, due to the risk of reoffending and failing to appear in court.

Their matters were adjourned to September 15 for committal mention.

They are both charged with one count each of committing arson to a motor vehicle, committing arson to a structure, entering premises and committing an indictable offence by break and stealing.

Mr Maher is also charged with one count of contravening an order to inform police of his passcode, and Mr Sanderson has been charged with two counts of the same.

Originally published as Brodie Sanderson, Matthew Maher charged with arson, apply for bail