Three individuals have been apprehended by police following a wave of arson incidents in Melbourne, including the attempted firebombing of a bar. The suspects, aged between 16 and 22, allegedly broke into the Almina Lebanese restaurant located in Docklands around 3:30 am, setting it on fire and causing only minor damage. They reportedly attempted to escape in a stolen vehicle before police intervened.
According to law enforcement, two of the suspects were discovered hiding beneath the Bolte Bridge, while the third was located in the stolen car, where authorities found a jerry can believed to have been used in the incident. Earlier, at approximately 2:30 am, a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at the St George Hotel in South Melbourne, which fortunately sustained minimal damage as the premises were empty at the time.
Detectives from Operation Eclipse, tasked with investigating a series of firebombing cases targeting licensed venues across the city, are looking into these latest attacks. Reports suggest that the young offenders involved may be receiving payment for their illegal actions. Authorities are also examining whether the motive behind these incidents relates to the illegal alcohol trade.
As investigations continue, police are calling for any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward to assist in solving these troubling incidents.