A Bay of Plenty farmer will appear in court today on an arson charge after a car was set on fire and exploded in a crowded Wellington mall.
Chris Polenski, 40, is alleged to have driven his car into Cuba Mall on Saturday afternoon and set it alight.
The windowsblew out, startling shoppers who were walking by.
No one was injured but police say the action was dangerous and are taking the matter seriously. Two men with fire extinguishers tried to put the fire out before firefighters arrived.
Before the explosion, Polenski wrote on the footpath: "What is fractional reserve banking? Google it."
He originally thought the man was a street performer which is why he started filming. He said if he had known the truth he would have tried to stop Polenski.
Detective Sergeant Michael Priston, of Wellington police, said Polenski's actions were dangerous.
"These actions clearly endangered members of the public who were walking in this busy mall area."
Officers had spoken to 16 witnesses but asked for people who had footage of the explosion to come forward.
Mr Priston said police believed an accelerant was used to start the fire but there was no evidence that any explosive device was used.
Polenski was known to police and appeared in court last week on charges of threatening behaviour, thought to be related to Saturday's protest.
