POLICE have charged two Melbourne men following an alleged extortion and subsequent arson of a Murphy Street tobacco store in July 2023.
Police said detectives from Taskforce Lunar executed two search warrants at residential addresses in Doreen and Mickleham on Thursday which led to the arrests of a 23-year-old and 31-year-old men.
The taskforce released footage on Monday appealing for information in their hunt of an alleged standover man and co-offender who threatened a female Wangaratta worker of the tobacco store on July 4, 2023.
A 23-year-old Doreen man, who police will allege was the man captured in the vision of the incident, was charged with extortion with threat to destroy property, possess cannabis and fail to comply with direction to provide assistance.
He faced Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon.
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A 31-year-old Mickleham man, who police will allege was filming the video, was charged with 11 counts of drug possession (prescription drugs) and has been bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on May 27.
In the video released by police earlier in the week, two men entered the Murphy Street store in 2023 allegedly demanding the member of staff to close down the store immediately or it would be burnt down.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks from Taskforce Lunar said police believed the offenders came from the self-described ‘Iraqis from Melbourne’ criminal syndicate.
Det Insp Banks said the threats would have been "terrifying" and "intimidating" for the victim.
Weeks later on July 27 at 12.45am, two men were caught exiting a white BMW, forcing entry into the same tobacco store.
An accelerant was poured, before the store was set alight and both men fled the scene.
Nobody was physically injured, but the store sustained significant damage during the incident.
Investigations into the arson of the store remain ongoing.
Police had linked the incident as part of an alleged dispute between criminal syndicates in conflict over profits from the illicit tobacco market.
In that time, more than 130 tobacco stores across the state had been firebombed.
Police said detectives from Taskforce Lunar would like to thank media and members of the public who provided information following their appeal for public assistance on Monday of this week.
Anyone with any information about serious and organised crime linked to the illicit tobacco trade is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
