Police super squad to tackle clans behind arson attacks

Cassandra Morgan | July 13, 2023

Warring crime gangs will have the undivided attention of a supersized Victorian police task force in the coming months, as tit-for-tat firebombings strike fear into the community. 

Two criminal groups believed to be linked to Middle Eastern organised crime entities are behind at least 11 arson attacks across Melbourne since June 24.

Members of three of the state’s toughest police outfits – the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce, gang-focused VIPER Taskforce and the Arson and Explosives Squad – have been rolled into an elite team in a bid to stamp them out.

The spate of firebombings has been brazen, personal, targeted and clearly designed to send a message, according to veteran Detective Inspector Chris Murray.

“It’s a trademark of organised crime,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“They’re trying to make a statement but in making a statement, they grab our attention.”

Police weren’t going to sit idly by as the two opposing clans struck fear into the community, putting themselves and others at risk of injury or death, Det Insp Murray said.

The first firebombing ended up with two vehicles alight in the driveway of a home at Fawkner on June 24.

The following day, a gang member attempted to torch two more cars at a home in Greenvale, before a firebombing at a prestige vehicle outlet at Oakleigh resulted in more than $1 million damage on June 26. 

In the early hours of June 27, offenders tried to set alight a Fraser Rise house with five people inside.

When a rival associate attempted to step in, his home at Caroline Springs was set ablaze too.

Police have homed in on a firebombing at Sonsa Market on Smith Street at Collingwood, where witnesses saw two men arguing with an unknown group on June 22.

A week later, the business went up in flames, with at least three people using hammers to smash the front windows before dousing the inside of the store in accelerant.

One of the offenders accidentally set fire to himself before fleeing with others in a silver SUV.

Police have released footage of the incident.

“They don’t put a lot of thought into these attacks,” Det Insp Murray said.

“They target a premises and from that, members of the community are clearly put at risk.”

It was only sheer luck the firebombings had not seriously injured or killed someone, he said.

The community could expect a highly visible police presence in the coming days, weeks and months, with officers knocking on the doors and businesses of anyone involved.

Those targeted by the attacks had not been forthcoming in helping police, Det Insp Murray said.

“I could look around this room and I’d suggest that none of our houses get firebombed, and there’s a reason for that,” he said. 

VIPER Taskforce Detective Inspector Mick Daly said the gangs would have the undivided attention of the specialist investigators assembled to bring them to book.

“Our priority is the protection of the community,” he said.