source : the age
A Bandidos bikie has been charged over a bungled tobacco store firebombing in which he allegedly fled while his critically injured co-conspirator was engulfed in flames.
The 32-year-old man, from Delacombe, near Ballarat, is a patched member of the Bandidos and was arrested on Friday following a police pursuit after a separate alleged arson attack in Taylors Lakes, in Melbourne’s north-west.
Victoria Police said in a statement they had executed a number of warrants across the Ballarat area on Friday following the fire at the Boss Tobacco shop in Melton early on September 3.
“One of the warrants was executed … at the Bandidos OMCG [outlaw motorcycle gang] clubhouse at Greenbank Court in Delacombe,” a police spokesperson said.
CCTV footage of the September 3 firebombing, released by police last week, showed one man engulfed in flames, while his alleged accomplice tried to shake fire off his burning sleeve.
Witnesses reported hearing the man scream in agony as his alleged co-offender fled the scene.
The 23-year-old remains in a critical condition in The Alfred hospital.
On Friday, police were called to the Hanging Gardens Lounge on Melton Highway about 4.25am, after reports of a suspicious fire. No one was inside the Taylors Lakes shisha bar at the time.
After a police pursuit through Melbourne’s west, the 32-year-old Delacombe man and a 42-year-old Melton man abandoned their car in Brookfield and fled on foot.
Police arrested the duo a short time later.
The 42-year-old man was interviewed and released pending summons.
The younger man was charged with recklessly causing serious injury, aggravated burglary, criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endanger life and destruction of evidence in relation to the firebombing in Melton. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court at a later date.
Arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray flagged that police would pursue further charges if the injured arsonist dies.
“This fire didn’t just damage the property – it has also had an enormous impact on one of the people involved, who remains in hospital and will never be the same again,” Murray said on Saturday.
“Should the individual who suffered significant burns succumb to his injuries, we intend to hold those who planned and assisted with the arson, personally responsible.”
Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
