Three arrested over Melbourne nightlife arson attacks
Quick Look
- Three people, two 18-year-old men and a 17-year-old boy, have been arrested over a string of alleged arson attacks targeting Melbourne nightlife venues, including La Di Da nightclub and Electric Bar.
- Police allege the spree involved ram-raids and accelerant, with one suspect reportedly setting himself on fire.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Three individuals have been arrested in connection with a series of alleged arson attacks targeting Melbourne nightlife venues. The spree involved ram-raids and the use of accelerant, with one suspect reportedly setting himself on fire during an incident. These arrests are part of a larger police operation investigating multiple arson attempts across the city's hospitality sector.
Three people have been arrested over a string of alleged arson attacks at Melbourne nightlife spots.
Two 18-year-old men and a 17-year-old boy are accused of attacking three separate venues including La Di Da nightclub in the CBD and Electric Bar in Prahran.
Police allege the spree began at 4am on May 4, when a car rammed into roller doors at an industrial property before one male walked into the warehouse with a jerry can.
About an hour and twenty minutes later, investigators say a car pulled up outside La Di Da before attempting to ram the door of the venue.
Twenty minutes after this alleged ram raid, police say a car rammed into Electric Bar, before two males exited the vehicle and poured accelerant inside the venue.
Police say the accelerant failed to catch fire.
They allege the trio returned to La Di Da the following night of May 5, about 3.30am, damaging the front door before pouring accelerant throughout the venue.
Investigators say one of the 18-year-olds arrested today set himself on fire during the incident.
An 18-year-old from Tarneit was arrested on Wednesday morning by officers, while the other 18-year-old and the 17-year-old were arrested at a shopping centre in Maribyrnong.
Police say the 17-year-old was carrying a machete at the time of his arrest.
The trio are now being interviewed in relation to the alleged arsons.
The arrests come as part of a broader investigation into arsons across Melbourne hospitality venues in recent months.
A Victoria Police operation, dubbed Operation Eclipse, was launched in April to address dozens of arson attempts at venues, which police believe were "likely linked".
More than a dozen people have been arrested over the attacks, with police saying some offenders were paid as little as $500 in some cases to commit an arson attack.
CBD Acting Superintendent Anthony Vella said police had now accounted for all the arson attacks in the city's CBD in recent months.
"Today's results mean we have now arrested someone for every arson attack that has occurred against licensed venues in Melbourne's CBD, as well as several incidents in the Prahran area," he said.
Open Questions
- What were the motives behind the arson attacks?
- Were the arrested individuals paid to commit these acts, and if so, by whom?
- What is the extent of the damage to the affected venues?
- Are there any other individuals involved or sought by the police?