Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after a report of a suspicious vehicle fire in West Dorset.
Dorset Police received a report at 7.24am on Sunday 10 November 2024 of a vehicle fire on the A35 near to the Charmouth Roundabout.
Officers attended and assisted as the fire service extinguished the fire.
The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and following further enquiries, it was reported that the vehicle involved had been stolen from an address in Wiltshire.
It was further alleged that a wallet had been stolen from a staff area in Charmouth and the victim’s bank card had been used to pay for a taxi from Charmouth to Dorchester.
Following enquiries, a 43-year-old woman from Shaftesbury was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.
A 24-year-old man from Wincanton in Somerset was arrested on suspicion of arson, fraud by false representation, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.
They have both been released on police bail while enquiries continue.
Police Sergeant Scott Williams, of Dorset Police, said: “As part of my investigation, I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in relation to the vehicle fire on the A35.
“I would ask motorists with a dashcam travelling in the area around the relevant time on Sunday morning to please check their footage for anything that may assist my enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240173263. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
