Armed Crime Squad detectives, with assistance from the Special Operations Group, have arrested a teenager following an investigation into an alleged kidnapping and tobacco store fire.
The 19-year-old boy was arrested following a short foot pursuit in the carpark of a fast-food outlet, at the intersection of Sydney and Barry roads, in Campbellfield yesterday.
He has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated home invasion, common law assault and two counts each of criminal damage by fire and theft of motor vehicle.
The charges follow an incident on Monday 5 August where armed offenders allegedly forced entry to a home in Ballarat Road, Deer Park about 5am.
The victim was allegedly assaulted and forced from the property.
He was later released and reported the incident to police.
The charges also relate to a Taskforce Lunar investigation into an alleged tobacco store fire in Ingor Street, Ararat on Saturday 6 July.
It is alleged on this occasion a suspected accelerant was doused throughout the store before it was set alight.
As part of the investigation detectives executed a warrant at a residential home and following the arrest seized a quantity of an alleged drug of dependence and significant amount of cash.
The Truganina teen appeared before Melbourne Magistrates' Court this morning and was remanded in custody until 30 October 2024.
The investigation remains ongoing.
