Theft under cover of fire

POLICE believe a series of arson attacks in North Geelong was a diversion tactic while two men committed a spate of crimes several suburbs away.

A $20,000 car was destroyed in one of the blazes, which resulted in multiple 000 calls in the early hours of March 27.

Bradley Anderson, 37, and

Andrew Turner, 30, are accused of launching three fires before travelling to Belmont and stealing a trailer and two motorbikes from separate properties.

Detective Senior Constable Ben Fox told Geelong Magistrates’ Court yesterday police had found no links between the victims of the arsons and the alleged culprits.

“We do believe that it’s about a diversion more than anything,” Sen-Constable Fox said.

The allegation was made as Mr Anderson successfully applied for bail after 2½ months on remand.

It is alleged he and Mr Turner used an accelerant — likely to be petrol — to spark two fires on Giddings St, North Geelong, about 1.30am.

One of the blazes destroyed a 2019 Hyundai i30 parked outside one home, while the other caused significant damage to a tree and nature strip.

A third fire was set minutes later on Saywell St, with a witness calling 000 to report an explosion.

Police and firefighters arrived and extinguished flames that started on a footpath before spreading to a fence.

After the fires, Mr Anderson and Mr Turner allegedly drove to Belmont and stole a trailer and two motorbikes, worth a combined $17,000.

The pair were arrested after police saw a black SUV towing the motorbikes on the stolen trailer through Newtown about 3.12am.

The SUV was tracked to Fyansford, where it is alleged Mr Turner rammed a police car, moments after Mr Anderson ran from the vehicle.

Mr Anderson, of Norlane, faces charges including arson, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

Police had opposed bail due to concerns for public safety, but Magistrate Michael Coghlan chose to release him on a number of conditions.

Mr Anderson must reside in Norlane, abide by a curfew and is banned from leaving the state. He returns to court on August 25.

Mr Turner is in custody and is due to face court next week.