Police have charged five people as part of an investigation into a series of arson attacks on tobacco stores across Melbourne.
A 33-year-old Epping man was charged with criminal damage by fire (arson), possess anything with intent to destroy or damage property, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, burglary and possess drug of dependence.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 10 November.
A 40-year-old Kilmore man was charged with criminal damage by fire (arson), possess anything with intent to destroy or damage property, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, three counts of handle stolen goods and commit indictable offence whilst on bail.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 10 November.
A 31-year-old Flemington woman was charged with criminal damage by fire (arson), possess anything with intent to destroy or damage property, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, burglary and possess drug of dependence.
She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 August.
A 43-year-old Melton man was charged with possess synthetic cannabis.
He was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 28 March 2024.
A 28-year-old Altona North man, who was also arrested, was released pending further enquiries.
The charges follow a series of 11 linked arson attacks on tobacco stores dating back to March this year.
Warrants were executed on Friday morning by the Arson and Explosives Squad, VIPER Taskforce and Echo Taskforce with assistance from North-West Metro police and the ABF at properties in Heidelberg, Kilmore, Flemington, Derrimut, Broadmeadows, Pascoe Vale and Glenroy.
Earlier this week, VIPER Taskforce members arrested two men also connected to the Finks OMCG and seized two firearms during warrants linked to this investigation.
Investigators are looking into a range of motivations for these fires and links to a range of organised crime syndicates.
As a result of these arson attacks, Victoria Police will also look to partner with our federal counterparts including the ABF, AFP and the ATO to identify opportunities to ensure the community is kept safe and those involved in this criminality are targeted.
At this time police do not believe these fires are directly linked to a second series of fires related to an ongoing organised crime dispute, which included a fire at a Collingwood business in June.
Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or has further information about them and the parties involved.
