Two youths were arrested after they were caught "spitting fire" at trees in the Dunedin Town Belt on Monday evening, Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said.
The 15- and 16-year-olds had bought kerosene and taken it to a section of bush in Queens Dr. A member of the public saw the boys, about 5pm, spraying the kerosene from their mouths and setting fire to it. No trees were set alight.
The youths were found shortly after at a nearby house. Police searched the premises and found a small amount of cannabis. The teenagers have been referred to youth aid.
• A 40-year-old woman has been charged with cultivating cannabis after about six plants were found in her Canongate garden.
Snr Sgt Brown said the woman, who was arrested about 6pm on Monday, would appear in the Dunedin District Court this week.
• Two 17-year-olds were arrested in South Dunedin on Monday night after they were caught allegedly trying to break into a car in Atkinson St just after midnight, Snr Sgt Brown said.
They have been charged with unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle.
• At least five cars were broken into in the Wakari area on Monday night, continuing a spate of thefts from cars in the area.
Dozens of cars have been broken into in the Maori Hill, Kaikorai Valley and Wakari area in the past few weeks. The cars are often close to homes and, in many cases, unlocked.
