Four teenagers have been charged after an alleged arson attack on a tobacconist shop and restaurant in Victoria.
Police undertook three search warrants at properties in Springvale, Mulgrave and Pakenham at 7am on Friday following an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park and two arson attacks in Ballarat last week.
Two boys aged 14 and 15, and two girls aged 16 and 16, were subsequently arrested and charged following the search warrants.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of handling stolen goods, car theft and possessing a prohibited weapon.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle.
A 16-year-old girl from Pakenham was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury and theft of motor vehicle.
She has been remanded in custody and will appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A second 16-year-old girl from Mulgrave was charged with theft of motor vehicle.
Three others were bailed and will appear in children’s court at a later date.
The alleged arson attacks targeted a restaurant in Mill Park and a tobacconist in Ballarat last week.
Police allege a white Isuzu D Max and a silver Ford Ranger were stolen from Wonga Park during an aggravated burglary, between 10 pm on February 19 and 7 am on February 20.
The same Izuzu was then used in an attempted arson attack at a restaurant on The Link at Mill Park on Tuesday, February 17, police allege.
“The D Max reverses towards the front door of the premises and a number of offenders exit the vehicle, with one reaching back in to remove a jerry can,” Victoria Police said.
The alleged offenders ran from the scene after a member of the public approached them, investigators allege.
The following day, the same car was used in an arson attack at a Ballarat tobacconist shop on Sturt Street, at 3.35 am, police also allege.
The Izuzu was found burnt out a short time later on Eureka Street.
The Ford Ranger, allegedly stolen from Wonga Park, was used in a separate arson attack at a reception centre in Thomastown on Thursday, 22 February, Victoria Police allege.
It was found burnt out in Bundoora.
A 20-year-old man was charged on Thursday in relation to that incident.
