Two arrested after stolen car fire on A35 near Charmouth

Two arrests have been made following a day of drama which saw a stolen car set on fire on a main road, a wallet stolen and money used to help the alleged offenders try to make a getaway.

It started when firefighters and police were called to a car fire on the A35 near Charmouth roundabout on Sunday morning.

The A35 had to close briefly as firefighters tackled the blaze on the side of the carriageway.

There was no driver at the scene and rescuers searched the area in case anyone was injured. The fire is being investigated as arson.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at the side of the A35 near Charmouth (Image: DWFRS) It emerged the car had been stolen from Wiltshire and the cause of the fire was deliberate.

Firefighters tackled the blaze at the side of the A35 near Charmouth (Image: DWFRS) Police said subsequent enquiries further revealed a wallet was stolen from the staff area at Charmouth Stores and a bank card was used to pay for a taxi from Charmouth to Dorchester.

Armed police were seen in the area of Dorchester West railway station about 3pm on Sunday where arrests were made as part of the investigation.

Dorset Police has said the units were acting as normal response officers rather than in an armed capacity.

Police said a  43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary, and 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.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at 7.24am on Sunday, November 10, of a vehicle fire on the A35 near to the Charmouth roundabout near Charmouth.

"Officers attended and assisted as the fire service extinguished the fire.

"It was reported that the cause of the fire may have been deliberate and following further enquiries it was reported that the vehicle involved had been stolen from an address in Wiltshire.

"It was further reported that a wallet had been stolen from a staff area in Charmouth Stores in Charmouth and the victim’s bank card had been used to pay for a taxi from Charmouth to Dorchester.

"Following enquiries, two people were detained in the area of Dorchester West train station.

"Both suspects remain in police custody at this time."