Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit detectives have charged two men for two alleged arson attacks and a carjacking at gunpoint in Sydney's west.
About 1am on Tuesday 6 May 2025, emergency services were called to Meadows Road in Mount Pritchard following reports a car had been crashed into a supermarket and was on fire.
A month later, around 4am on Thursday 5 June 2025, police were called to the carpark of a fast-food restaurant in Wentworthville following reports of an armed robbery.
On arrival, police were told two men were sitting in their car when they were allegedly approached by two unknown men armed with firearms.
The armed men threatened the occupants of the car, and hit one in the face with his firearm, before taking their vehicle.
Less than 24 hours later, just after 2am on Friday 6 June 2025, emergency services were again called to the Mt Pritchard shopping precinct following reports a vehicle had crashed into the front of a supermarket and the premises had again been set on fire.
The first arson attempt is alleged to have caused $100,000 in damage, while the second arson is alleged to have caused $500,000 in damage.
Following both fires, the occupants of the vehicles fled the scene before police arrived.
Crime scenes were established and examined by specialist police before all matters were referred to State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit under Strike Force Barbalin.
Following extensive inquiries, about 1.15pm yesterday (Friday 13 June 2025), strike force detectives arrested a 22-year-old man in Merrylands.
A short time later, a 23-year-old man was arrested in Granville.
Both men were taken to Granville Police Station, where they were charged with:
- Robbery while armed with dangerous weapon
- Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence – in company – not steal
They were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 14 June 2025.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, said police will allege the two men were recruited to carry out the attacks on the supermarket.
"We will allege these two men were recruited by a high-profile criminal syndicate to carry out these arson attacks on the supermarket in a stand over attempt," Det Supt Arbinja said.
"That criminal syndicate has come under the attention of Taskforce Falcon, and as such, we are sharing all our information and intelligence with their detectives as well."
The arson on the supermarket in April 2025 is not being treated as linked to these attacks.
