A 13-year-old boy armed with an edged weapon has been charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to two vehicles and stealing a purse from another vehicle over the weekend, NT Police said.

The youth’s crime spree allegedly started around 11:30pm on Saturday night when he stole a purse from a vehicle in Palmerston before riding a bike towards a security company’s golf buggy that was parked at a Palmerston shopping centre around 1:15 am, police said.

CCTV operators watched as the boy set fire to the golf buggy which was completely engulfed in flames.

Then, at 3:32am, the youth was observed by police CCTV operators at another Palmerston shopping centre car park armed with an “edged weapon”, where he then allegedly poured accelerants over the top of a Mitsubishi Lancer.

After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to ignite a fire, the child was then successful as the car became engulfed in flames while he stood by and watched it burn, police said.

“Palmerston police officers and fire-fighters arrived at the location to extinguish the fire and Police CCTV operators directed members to the location of youth who was subsequently placed under arrest,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said in a statement.

“The youth was also found to be in possession of two edged weapons and various identification cards belonging to the owner of the purse stolen earlier.”

The 13-year-old was charged with two counts of arson; possessing, carrying and using a controlled weapon at night; unlawfully possessing property and one count of trespassing. He was remanded in custody and expected to appear in court on Monday.

Police said the use of CCTV had helped in arresting the boy.

“The CCTV operators continue to provide invaluable operational support to members, who in this case were able to effect an immediate arrest,” Sen Sgt Bland said.