Three face dock over pier fire

Three men face court over a Portarlington pier fire on Tuesday.
Geelong Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested the trio separately at Portarlington the following day.
The damage bill from the blaze on the small pier off The Esplanade on 29 March could reach $100,000, police said.
Detectives identified the three men “within a short amount of time” after commencing the investigation.
One of the men tried to flee but was apprehended soon after, police said.
“About 7.45am (Wednesday) morning police moved in and executed a search warrant at a Payne Street, Portarlington, property where a 20-year-old man was arrested.
“A second man, also from Portarlington, presented himself to the Geelong Police Station about 2pm.
“Both men have been charged with arson and criminal damage by fire and have been bailed to appear at the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on 11 May.
“The third man fled from police when they attended an address on Hereford Street, Portarlington, about 12.30pm but was arrested in Waterview Crescent shortly after.”
Police are expected to charge the 18-year-old Portarlington man with fire and drug offences.