By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
POLICE are warning would-be arsonists that they will face harsh penalties if caught deliberately lighting fires.
The warning comes in the wake of Victoria’s worst fires since Black Saturday and has left Melton Police shaking their heads.
Detective Senior Sergeant Barry Jenks said there have been a number of deliberately lit fires across the municipality and while most have been contained, there is always potential for fire to spread and cause injury and property damage.
Sen Sgt Jenks said that on 3 February about 12.10am arsonists set fire to a rubbish bin in parkland in Park Lane, Taylors Hill.
The fire was extinguished before the tinder dry surroundings caught fire.
Only hours later another group set fire to shade cloth in a playground at Kings Way and Cassia Rd, Melton.
And at 1.55am on the same morning, arsonists set fire to a pile of rubbish in vacant land bordering residential properties in Caitlyn Drive, Melton West.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact them or ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Meanwhile, there has been a recent spate of thefts of late ’90s and early 2000 model Nissan Pulsars in and around Melton and Caroline Springs.
Items were stolen from a Nissan Pulsar in Goodenia Way, Caroline Springs on Friday 7 February.
And between Thursday 6 February and Friday 7 February a number of Pulsars were broken into in Hampstead Green Botanical Drive, Caroline Springs.
Then on 10 February a Pulsar was stolen from Melton Railway Station and another from Woodgrove Shopping Centre.
On the same day would-be thieves attempted to steal another Nissan Pulsar in McKenzie St, Melton.
Sen Sgt Jenks said police believe these vehicles are being targeted for no other reason than the offenders’ familiarity with that type of vehicle.
One male has already been charged in relation to stealing a number of these vehicles in the Burnside area.
