Victorian tobacco stores have been told to ‘be alert’ following what’s believed to be the 29th targeted firebomb attack on a smoke shop in the last six months.
In the latest incident, emergency services were called to the vape shop on Wheatshreaf Rd at Glenroy just before 2.30am on Monday after a stolen blue BMW station wagon was used to ram the front of the store, before a man jumped out and started a fire inside before speeding off.
Residents from a neighbouring apartment building had to be evacuated as the flames took hold, but no one was reported harmed.
About half-an-hour later, officers were called to the Shaftsbury St, Coburg, where the BMW was found engulfed in flames.
Addressing the media on Monday afternoon, Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said any of the state’s 500 or so tobacco stores should be on alert.
“The fact that we’ve had 28 arsons over six months suggests they should be alert, and if they have any information I encourage them to come forward,” he said.
“We know that there are extortions occurring, it may be someone running a proper tobacco store who’s been asked to sell illicit tobacco.
“That’s an avenue of inquiry we’re going down; we’re not standing up here saying all 28 shops were selling illicit tobacco, what we are saying is that it needs further investigation.
“We do acknowledge it’s highly concerning if you live above a tobacco shop, and we’ll do everything possible to engage with the retailers, the residents, if we receive any sort of information that says they’re at risk.”
The incident comes hours after Victoria Police launched the Lunar Taskforce on Sunday, which is investigating the attacks on tobacco stores.
“Very disappointing on the back of my attendance here yesterday … when we announced the Lunar Taskforce had been established to investigate, in particular, the now 29 incidents of arson on tobacco shops,” Detective Kelly said.
“We believe we know who the major players are – they’re two syndicates that we believe are now in conflict over the illicit tobacco market here in Victoria, but more broadly it’s been seen across Australia.”
There have been 13 arrests over the alleged arson incidents so fair, with those arrested charged with a range of offences.
Speaking on Monday morning’s ram raid and fire, Detective Kelly said they’re hunting a green Holden sedan which was also spotted at the scene of the ram raid.
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“We’re keen to speak to anyone who was in the Glenroy and Coburg areas this morning,” he said.
“We believe there’s multiple offenders … at least two, possibly more.”
Anyone in the area with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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