NSW: Five businessmen charged with arson and fraud

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2008
NSW: Five businessmen charged with arson and fraud

SYDNEY, Feb 14 AAP - Five businessmen have been charged with arson and fraud after
a fire destroyed a warehouse in Sydney's west worth $2 million.

The two-storey building in Jean Street, Rydalmere, was engulfed in flames when firefighters
arrived about 1.15am (AEDT) on June 21 last year.

Crews battled the blaze for about two hours but several walls collapsed, leaving the
building with extensive damage.

The building was occupied by a company specialising in logo design and clothing and
has since been bulldozed.

Strick Force Lipari was established by the police arson team to investigate the fire,
which detectives now allege was deliberately lit inside the building.

They also said their investigations had uncovered a $1.4 million defrauding of a financial
institution.

Police yesterday executed search warrants at several premises including a business
at Parramatta, in Sydney's west, and at homes in Glenorie and Kellyville, in Sydney's
north.

Four men were arrested at the Parramatta premises and several items were seized including
a petrol container, electronic files and fireworks.

Two men, aged 59 and 30, from Glenorie, were charged with offences including malicious
damage, conspiracy to cheat and defraud, and being an accessary before and after the fact
to dishonestly destroy property by fire.

They were refused bail and were to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

The other men, aged 28 and 24, both from Baulkham Hills, were charged with conspiracy
to cheat and defraud, and with concealing a serious offence.

They were granted conditional bail and are due to appear Parramatta Local Court on March 12.

Police said on January 23, a 31-year-old Oatlands man had been arrested after being
stopped by police in his vehicle on Pennant Hills Road at North Parramatta.

He was later charged with 13 offences, similar to those faced by the other four men.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on March 13.

AAP vpm/was/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: ARSON

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