newy.com.au – A 17-year-old boy has been refused bail after being charged over three alleged fires at businesses in Glendale and Windale and a police pursuit through Lake Macquarie.
Emergency services were called to a fast-food restaurant on Stockland Drive, Glendale, about 10.40pm on Monday after reports of a fire.
Police were told staff had extinguished fires in a bathroom and on a small patch of grass outside the restaurant.
About three hours later, emergency crews responded to another fire behind a takeaway shop on South Street, Windale. Police found two large bins alight, with Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguishing the blaze. The building was damaged.
Officers began investigating and, a short time later, saw a Holden Colorado drive past the Windale scene.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle but allege the driver failed to pull over. A pursuit continued through Bennetts Green to Belmont before officers abandoned it because of the manner of driving.
The teenager was arrested at Belmont Police Station about 6.35am on Tuesday.
He was charged with three counts of damaging property by fire or explosion and police pursuit — failing to stop and driving recklessly.
The boy was refused bail by police and appeared before a children’s court on Tuesday, where bail was again refused. He is due to return to the same court on Monday, September 14.
