Arsonist caught after driving dangerously in attempt to evade arrest
Thames Valley Police has confirmed it's caught an arsonist who caused significant damage to property despite driving dangerously
Last updated 26th Aug 2026
Thames Valley Police has confirmed it's caught an arsonist who caused significant damage to property despite driving dangerously in an unsuccessful attempt to evade arrest.
Krzysztof Orzechowski was sentenced to an extended jail term last week for setting fire to two cars in Slough in the night and leading police on a dangerous pursuit through country roads before crashing.
The 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, forced the arson victims to evacuate and left their home and cars with substantial damage.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Chloe Winchcombe, of Berkshire East CID, said: “Krzysztof Orzechowski is a dangerous offender and a risk to the public, so I’m pleased he has been sentenced accordingly after this shocking behaviour.
“It is incredibly fortunate that no one was hurt after Orzechowski set fire to two cars in the middle of the night and recklessly drove at high speeds in a futile attempt to evade arrest.
“Thames Valley Police will never tolerate such offending so we will always work tirelessly to bring perpetrators like Orzechowski to justice and support victims.”
Shortly before 4am on 9 March, Orzechowski set fire to two cars parked on the driveway of the home of a man in his twenties and his family on Stoke Road.
The offender had poured a jerry can of fuel on them that he had just bought from a nearby petrol station.
Orzechowski drove off while the fire spread to the front of the house, causing the occupants, including children, to flee and significant damage to the vehicles and property.
The victim said in a statement: “I feel like every part of my life has been impacted by this.
“This incident did not just damage property: it damaged our sense of safety; it damaged our mental health; it changed how we live and how we feel in our own home.
“We are frightened, unsettled and constantly on edge. It has affected every part of my life and my family’s life, and I am not sure when or if we will ever fully recover.”
When Orzechowski was driving the vehicle; he failed to stop and drove dangerously with officers in pursuit, reaching speeds up to 100mph and overtaking other vehicles recklessly.
Orzechowski crashed after taking a corner too fast; he was unhurt and officers arrested him.
Orzechowski was charged two days later and remanded in custody, before pleading guilty to one count each of arson with intent to endanger life and driving a motor vehicle dangerously at Reading Crown Court on 13 April. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing controlled drugs of class A and B, namely cocaine and cannabis/cannabis resin.
At the same court on Wednesday (19/8), the judge sentenced Orzechowski to five years and seven months in prison, with an extended period of three years. The judge also disqualified him from driving for a year, once he is released from prison, and ordered him to pay a £228 surcharge.
The investigation into the arson is ongoing, with a 32-year-old man from Slough on police bail.