Officers questioned the man over an aggravated break and enter on a Taralga district home in the early hours of Tuesday and two fires in the Taralga area. 

The fires inflicted extensive damage to a Myrtleville home and burnt out a late model ute. The vehicle was found in Guineacor Rd, north of Taralga where the house was also broken into, police said.

The village was a hive of activity on Tuesday night as police searched for the man. Officers were stationed at key intersections around the district, including the Goulburn to Crookwell Rd, after they lost sight of him in Taralga.

Inspector Evan Quarmby said police believed all three incidents could be connected, hence their eagerness to speak to the man after following up several leads.

“As a result of significant police enquiries, officers arrested a 47-year-old Taralga man in Goulburn at 3pm today. He is assisting us with enquiries,” he said.

They arrested the man on Goulburn’s north western outskirts after spotting him driving his car.

He was later taken to the local police station and subsequently charged with aggravated break, enter and steal, steal motor vehicle, malicious damage by fire x 2, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, mid range drink driving and breach of AVO.

He has been refused bail to appear at the Goulburn Local Court today (Thursday).