Wanniassa Firebug nabbed

The vigilance of a resident near to the Wanniassa Hills Pre-School early today (Friday, April 1) alerted police to suspicious behaviour at the school, and led to the arrest of a man now charged with arson.

A Tuggeranong Patrol team was called to the location on Langdon Avenue, Wanniassa around 2.35am today after a resident reported hearing suspicious noises at the school.

As the officers began a foot patrol of the grounds, they smelled smoke from around the immediate area. Near the rear of the school, they found a small fire against a wall in an alcove adjacent to the entry doors.

A 24-year-old man from Scullin was leaving the location as police arrived. He became agitated, aggressive and abusive toward police, and was handcuffed and placed under arrest. He was conveyed to the ACT Watch House and will appear in court today charged with arson.

The small fire was quickly extinguished by police, and the school sustained only minor damage to one wall. Police have praised the vigilance of the resident, whose willingness to call police about the suspicious activity protected the school property from potential greater damage.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]