Security vision from the Pakenham arcade fire in August last year has been released by police, as new information surfaces about the arson attack which destroyed several businesses.
The new vision shows four offenders force entry to the Centre Court Arcade on Main Street Pakenham, before setting fire to a tobacco store inside around 1am on 3 August 2021.
Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for the public’s assistance to identify the unknown offenders in the Pakenham attack, as well as two other incidents targeting tobacco stores across metropolitan Melbourne.
The series of fires at tobacco stores in Pakenham, Deer Park and Patterson Lakes caused more than $4 million in damage to businesses.
The second incident police are appealing for information about saw two offenders force entry to a tobacco store on Station Road, Deer Park, about 3.15am on 7 August, 2021.
The offenders poured an accelerate inside the store before igniting it, causing an explosion which resulted in one of the offenders catching fire.
On this instance the two primary offenders were seen getting out of light-coloured SUV.
A second light-coloured vehicle, believed to be a Holden Astra, was also seen at the scene and the female occupant of that car is believed to have been acting as a lookout.
There was a significant gap between the second and third incident which took place on 9 February 2022.
On this instance two offenders attended a shopping centre on Thompsons Road, Patterson Lakes, in a light-coloured Volkswagen Amarok 4WD with a canopy.
The offenders forced entry to a tobacco store and ignited an accelerate causing a large explosion which resulted in one the offenders catching fire.
Investigators believe the offenders who caught fire in the Patterson Lakes and Deer Park incidents would have likely sustained significant injuries and required medical assistance.
This series of fires has cause significant community impact to local businesses with significant damage not only to the targeted stores but neighbouring businesses as well.
Police are releasing CCTV from all three incidents as well as an image of a Holden Astra, believed to be similar to the “look out” vehicle from the Deer Park incident.
Investigators are also releasing a computer-generated image of the woman seen inside that vehicle at the time of the offence.
Anyone who recognises this woman and vehicle, witnessed any of these incidents or can provide information on the identity of those involved is urged to come forward.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
