Portland resident and father-of-three John Burrows was killed in the explosion of an IED device outside his mother’s garage near Villiers Street in July, 2015. 

Acting superintendent of the Chifley Local Area Command detective inspector Luke Rankin said a man was arrested in relation to Mr Burrow’s death at 9.30am on Wednesday, December 13. 

“A 70-year-old man was arrested at his home in Portland and brought back to Lithgow Police Station,” he said. 

“It is anticipated that he will be charged with the murder of John Burrows.” 

Mr Rankin said detectives had been working on the Portland bombing case for two-and-a-half years. 

“I was there the day it happened,” Mr Rankin said.

“We are really pleased that we have got to this point that we have been able to take action against this man. We are even more pleased because we can tell the family of the victim.”

The 70-year-old man has been taken to Lithgow Police Station, where he is currently assisting with inquiries. 

Strike Force Avail detectives have arrested 70-year-old Portland man in relation to the fatal bombing, known as the ‘Portland bombing’, which occurred in 2015. 

Strike Force Avail was established by detectives attached to Chifley Local Area Command, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, to investigate the circumstances surrounding John Burrows’ death.  

Emergency services were called to the rear of a home on Villers Lane, Portland, about 6.30am on Friday 24 July 2015, following reports of an explosion. Upon arrival police found John Burrows, aged 58, deceased. 

Following inquiries, a 70-year-old man was arrested at home at Portland about 9.30am on Wednesday, December 13. 

He was taken to Lithgow Police Station, where he is currently assisting with inquiries. 

Police have arrested a resident of Portland this morning in relation to the death of John Burrows, who died in the explosion of an IED device outside his mother’s garage in Portland in 2015. 

Police said the man had not been charged with an offence. 

“It’s very early days, we just got back to the station,” Chifley acting crime manager Chris Reay said. 

Mr Reay did confirm the arrest was made in relation to the death of Mr Burrows, who was 58-years-old when he died in an explosion behind his mother's home on nearby Villiers Street.

Earlier this year investigators determined that the improvised explosive device (IED) which killed Mr Burrows early on the morning of July 24, 2015 was detonated remotely with a radio-controlled receiver.

More to come.