Two children, including a boy from Hoppers Crossing, have been arrested this week following an investigation into two tobacco store fires in Glenroy earlier this month.
A 17-year-old Deanside boy was arrested at home Thursday morning and interviewed by police.
He was subsequently charged with criminal damage by fire (arson), theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The boy was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A 16 year old Hoppers Crossing Boy was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into an unrelated series of incidents.
He is currently remanded in custody on those separate matters and police expect to charge him with criminal damage by fire (arson), theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of cannabis.
The arrests follow two fires at separate tobacco stores in Glenroy on May 17.
Emergency services were initially called to a business on Morgan Court about 4.15am, with a second fire being reported at a Belair Avenue premises only minutes later.
Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said this is “yet again” another example of organised crime groups utilising vulnerable children to commit extremely serious crimes.
One of the boys involved suffered serious burns, which we are consistently seeing occurring and it is only a matter of time before one of these offenders kill themselves, or an innocent member of the public,” he said,
The investigation into the fires remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
