Teen's attacker suspected of arson at petrol station

Photo / Martin Sykes

A 13-year-old was knocked out and robbed in a carpark before his attacker allegedly tried to torch a petrol station.

The youth was walking past the Northcote Shopping Centre on Lake Rd in the North Shore about 10pm on Saturday when he was robbed of his cellphone and $1.

Police said the teen was taken to North Shore Hospital with a suspected facial fracture but was discharged yesterday.

About an hour later detectives and firefighters were called to the closed BP petrol station on the corner of Onewa and Lake Rds, where someone had broken into the shop after trying to set fire to the forecourt.

Firefighters got a phone call from a member of the public reporting a rubbish bin fire next to a petrol pump.

A man was found inside the shop and arrested soon after.

Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said the alleged arsonist tried to light several fires before breaking into the shop with a metal pole.

"Several thousands of dollars worth of damage was done to the display cabinet and security system," he said.

A staff member last night told the Herald the station was closing early and that police were keeping an eye on it while the security system was fixed. Two petrol pumps were out of action.

An 18-year-old man will appear in the North Shore District Court today on a number of burglary and arson charges.