As ongoing confrontations between Middle Eastern criminal organisations and biker gangs intensify, a second store in Melbourne’s north has been set on fire in as many days.
After a suspected arson attack shortly after 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the West St Convenience Store in Hadfield sustained considerable damage.
The crime was targeted, according to police, and is probably connected to at least 10 arson assaults on cigarette retailers that have occurred since March of this year.
Only two kilometres separate the store from Hadfield Finest Fruit and Veg, which was burned down the day before.
Both incidents, according to police, are connected.
Bruno Lo Piccolo, a coworker nearby, reported hearing “three loud fringe” before running over to investigate.
“I just thought it was the garbos because usually that’s the time they come and apparently they ended up smashing into the convenience store,” he claimed.
The incident from yesterday, according to Detective Inspector Chris Murray, was hazardous.
The Arson and Explosives Squad will investigate all potential causes of the incident, and it has good lines of inquiry to find the criminals, he said.
“Police will not tolerate such blatant and dangerous criminal conduct in our communities,” he said. “This is inherently dangerous behaviour.”
