DETECTIVES from Victoria Police’s Taskforce Lunar have arrested two men in relation to an arson attack on a Cohuna tobacconist early this month.
Police executed a search warrant at a home in Tarneit on July 16, where a 37-year-old Tarneit man was charged and remanded to appear at Mildura’s Magistrate Court on October 9.
The man was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of cannabis and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Police said they seized a number of items including cannabis, a jerry can, a conducted electricity device and a stolen Mazda CX5 with cloned plates that they would allege in court was used during the offence.
A second search was conducted at residence in Broadmeadows on Friday morning where an Isuzu truck that had allegedly been stolen in Niddrie was seized from the address.
Police arrested a 44-year-old Broadmeadows man that same afternoon to be interviewed.
While nobody was inside the King George Street business when it was set alight about 3am Sunday July 7, the store was completely destroyed in the fire.
An allegedly stolen car was driven into the front of the business before it became engulfed in flames and required a large response from local firefighters.
The incident also had a significant impact on the surrounding businesses, neighbouring stores being left without power and storefronts suffering minor damage.
Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said those involved in the illegal tobacco trade “will be held to account” and that police “need the community’s help”.
“The estimated cost of the damage from these arson attacks is well and truly above $1 million,” Det Insp Banks said.
“Since Taskforce Lunar was established last October, we have arrested over 70 people involved in serious and violent offending linked to the illicit tobacco trade, and we will continue to do so.
“While we understand the cost of legal tobacco is high, in purchasing illegal tobacco you are effectively funding organised crime.
“That money will be used in serious and violent offending such as firearms incidents, extortions, arsons, illicit drug manufacture and trafficking and, at its worst, murders.”
Anyone with information on illegal activity related to illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
