A man accused of a sweeping series of property crimes across Port Macquarie will face court after police laid more than 30 charges, including allegations linked to a suspicious fire at the local police station.
Investigations began in January when officers from Mid North Coast Police District responded to a string of break-ins at commercial premises across the city.
As inquiries escalated, police seized a Toyota Hiace van on King Creek Road near Wauchope about 8.45pm on Monday 2 March 2026, believing it to be linked to the offences.
Hours later, in a dramatic turn, the same van was discovered engulfed in flames inside the secure car park of Port Macquarie Police Station about 6.35am the next day.
Fire and Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was destroyed. While no buildings or police vehicles were damaged, three officers required treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Police moved swiftly, arresting a 38-year-old man on Hollingworth Street later that morning.
He was initially charged with a series of offences including break and enter, using misleading number plates, taking a conveyance without consent, dishonestly obtaining property, and larceny. He was refused bail and appeared before Port Macquarie Local Court on 10 March.
Following further inquiries, detectives returned to lay a substantial number of additional charges on Saturday 25 April while the man remained in custody.
Those charges include 14 counts of receiving stolen property, six counts of aggravated break and enter in company, eight further counts of break and enter, and an offence relating to damaging property by fire, among others.
In total, the man now faces more than 30 alleged offences.
He has again been refused bail and is due to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 29 April.
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