A cyclist who died after a crash with a private security car was caught by police riding around the same neighbourhood lighting fires just two weeks earlier.
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Victor Carnovale, 47, was riding without a helmet along Ainslie Avenue in Reid about 6.20pm on February 11 when he and the silver Toyota Prius collided.
The crash left Mr Carnovale with life-threatening head and facial injuries and he was rushed to Canberra Hospital in a critical condition. He lived for more than two weeks but died this week while still in intensive care.
Police were told of his death - the second fatality on ACT roads this year - about 12.30am on Wednesday.
Authorities believe Mr Carnovale's bike hit the front of the Prius as the car travelled west in Ainslie Avenue.
The driver was breath-tested and he was cleared of drink-driving.
Less than two weeks before the crash, Mr Carnovale was reported to police while he rode around the same neighbourhood, three to four blocks north, near the Braddon Tennis Club about 7pm.
Police were told a man had been lighting fires in the area on January 30, a day of high fire danger, with dry conditions and a temperature of about 34 degrees.
Court documents reveal police arrived at the scene and saw Mr Carnovale circling the area, paying ''close attention'' to their car.
The officers say they approached him and asked: ''Victor, why are you lighting fires?'' Police record him as replying: ''I just lit a bit of plastic and then put it out. I wasn't trying to burn the whole place down.''
He was told to empty his pockets, and police say they found a blue lighter.
A woman came up to police and said she saw him light the fire.
She told police she saw the cyclist crouched down in front of large bushes and noticed flames about a foot high coming from the base of a hedge line in Elder Street, Braddon, just near the tennis club.
The woman said she told him to put the fire out and he mumbled, before trying to stamp out the flames.
She says she then called the police and watched and waited until the fire was out.
Mr Carnovale was arrested and charged with two arson-related offences and taken before the ACT Magistrates Court.
He was released on bail on strict conditions, including a 9pm to 7am curfew, and an order to reside at an
address in Ainslie Avenue, Reid, near where the crash occurred.
But police arrested Mr Carnovale not longer after, allegedly again with a lighter in his possession.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard police went to his home about 11.05pm on January 31 but could not find him.
Instead, officers found him about two hours later in Braddon with the lighter.
Mr Carnovale was due to appear again in the ACT Magistrates Court on the arson charges on February 24 while he was still in hospital.
A warrant has since been issued for his arrest because he failed to appear in court.
Police are now urging any witnesses who may have seen the crash to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website.
They have also urged cyclists and other vulnerable road users to be aware of intersection signage and wear a helmet at all times.
