An 18-year-old male has been charged with arson and will appear in the Alice Springs Court today.

Detective Sergeant Leith Phillips from the Southern Investigations Section said the man is alleged to have stolen a jerry can from a construction site in the Todd Mall and set fire to a fence near the Todd Tavern on 4 June.

“It is alleged the man then set fire to a Mitsubishi sedan near the intersection of Leichhardt Terrace and Parsons Street, which sustained extensive damage to the front of the vehicle,” Detective Sergeant Phillips said.

“The man was arrested yesterday and charged with arson, stealing, property damage and light fire in a public place without a permit.”