SOUTH WEST Detectives have confirmed the fire that destroyed an Australind home was deliberately lit and was linked to a violent crime spree through the town on Sunday.
The Bunbury Mail can reveal Dillon Smith, 21 – the man charged with a string of offences including assault on a 64-year-old woman – is directly linked to the fire-ravaged Milligan Avenue home.
South West Detectives acting officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Dayle Hamilton said the house fire and the crime spree were connected.
“At this stage the investigation is continuing and we are in the process of weighing up if charges will be laid over the house fire,” Senior Sergeant Hamilton said.
“The arson squad came down from Perth and ruled the cause of the fire as incendiary, meaning it was started on purpose.”
Emergency services were alerted to the fire about 3.30pm and closed the street.
Western Power and Alinta Gas helped secure the Homes West property while fire fighters from Brunswick Junction, Eaton-Australind Volunteers and Bunbury Fire and Rescue extinguished the fire.
The blaze caused about $250,000 damage.
It is believed after the fire was started, Mr Smith visited a home in Parmelia Drive where he stole a heavy lever from an excavator parked in the driveway.
Police allege Mr Smith went to a property on Old Coast Road in Australind where he threatened two women, aged 63 and 64, demanding the keys to their car.
He forced the two women inside the home, threatening them with the lever before allegedly assaulting the 64-year-old woman, breaking her nose and stealing her vehicle.
Shortly after Mr Smith was allegedly seen driving the stolen car recklessly along Old Coast Road and the Australind Bypass before losing control close to the Paris Road intersection.
The vehicle rolled and he was thrown from it, receiving several broken bones.
Mr Smith was taken to Bunbury Regional Hospital for treatment and was due to appear in the Bunbury Magistrates Court on Monday via a bedside hearing.
He was charged with aggravated armed robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, stealing a motor vehicle and reckless driving.
On Wednesday morning police added a charge of Criminial Damage by Fire with Mr Dillon to face the Bunbury Magistrates Court on September 8.
Police have asked for anyone who witnessed the driving incident on Sunday to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
