Teens arrested following arson attack
Two teenagers have been arrested after an arson attack on an elderly victim’s home in West Auckland.
A 14-year-old female has been charged with burglary, arson and wilful damage and an 18-year-old male has been charged with burglary and arson, police said.
Four teenagers smashed a window and set a fire at the 88-year-old woman’s house in Ra¯nui, police said.
Molly, who lived next door, said the 88-year-old victim was ‘‘coping beautifully’’ after the attack on Sunday night.
When Molly suggested the teens needed to be punished, the arson victim replied ‘‘no Molly, they need love’’, she said.
The 69-year-old said her neighbour was a brave woman who only had ‘‘love and kindness’’ for everyone around her.
Molly said she went over next door after some youths alerted her of the fire. ‘‘I saw the flames and all I could think was ‘please find her’.’’
Police said teenagers, aged between 14-18 years old, knocked on the Ra¯nui woman’s door on Sunday night, asking for a drink of water. Two of the girls allegedly reacted by smashing one of her windows when asked to leave.
The victim then went to bed but was woken by a smoke alarm, and her couch fully ablaze, police said.
The two teenagers arrested in relation to the incident would appear at Waita¯ kere Youth Court on Thursday.
Police said enquiries were ongoing to identify others allegedly involved. ‘‘The victim is doing well but is naturally shaken by what has occurred,’’ a police spokesperson said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small described it as an ‘‘appalling’’ crime.
‘‘An innocent elderly victim was targeted in her own home, a place where she should have been able to be safe and feel safe.’’
The victim was a parishioner of St Malachy’s Catholic Church in Ra¯nui. Age Concern Auckland chief executive Kevin Lamb said said it was an unfortunate reminder for us all to regularly check on our neighbours, friends and family.