Detectives from Taskforce Lunar are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fire at a tobacconist in a shopping centre in Craigieburn on Tuesday, 10 December.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at the Craigieburn Road centre about 3.30am.
Three offenders can be seen exiting a black Holden Commodore which parks directly outside the store, before throwing an accelerant into the store and setting it alight.
The shop sustained significant damage during the fire.
Investigators have cordoned off the area and set up a crime scene.
A Holden Commodore was later located burnt out in Companion Place in Epping shortly before 7am this morning and police are in the process of determining if it is the same vehicle used in the tobacco shop arson.
It is expected an arson chemist and detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad will attend the scene this morning.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dash cam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Graham Banks, Taskforce Lunar:
"Setting alight a store located in a large shopping centre has the potential to result in serious harm or even death for multiple completely innocent parties.
"The significant risk this poses to the broader community is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to do absolutely everything we can to target those responsible - the facilitators all the way to those at the top of the syndicates - in any way possible, to bring this criminality to an end."
