CCTV from the three assaults, which reveals males breaking into the shops and pouring accelerant round earlier than an explosion of flames, has been launched as police attempt to establish the offenders.
The primary assault concerned 4 offenders breaking right into a procuring centre on Primary Road, Pakenham in Melbourne's south east earlier than they set fireplace to a tobacco retailer inside about 1am on August 3 final 12 months.
Two offenders had been straight concerned within the second assault at a tobacco on Station Street, Deer Park in Melbourne's north, which occurred simply 4 days after the primary fireplace.
The boys seem like carrying the identical outfits as within the first assault, wearing navy hoodies and dark-coloured tracksuit pants.
One may also be seen carrying a balaclava within the footage as he makes use of a sledgehammer to smash by way of the shop's steel curler door about 3.15am on August 7, 2021.
The footage reveals one man pouring accelerant earlier than the balaclava-clad man begins a fireplace, inflicting an explosion of flames, which seems to result in one man catching fireplace as they run to a ready automobile.
Whereas the lads had been seen arriving and leaving in a light-coloured SUV, a second light-coloured car, believed to be a Holden Astra, was additionally seen on the scene.
A feminine who was within the second automobile is believed to have been appearing as a lookout.
Police have launched photographs of the automobile and the lady seen within the hope somebody recognises them and contacts police.
The third arson assault occurred months later, simply weeks in the past, on February 9, when two offenders broke right into a tobacco retailer on Thompsons Street, Patterson Lakes.
The pair, who arrived and left in a light-coloured Volkswagen Amarok 4WD with a cover, ignited an speed up inside the shop, inflicting a big explosion of fireside.
One of many offenders additionally caught fireplace on this assault.
Detectives consider the offenders who caught fireplace within the Patterson Lakes and Deer Park incidents would have possible acquired important accidents and would have wanted medical help.
The fires considerably impacted the focused companies, in addition to neighbouring companies.
4 companies had been burnt out by the fireplace lit in Patterson Lakes and quite a few neighbouring companies had been have an effect on by the smoke brought on by the blaze.
Anybody who witnessed any of those incidents or can present info on the id of these concerned is urged to contact police.
Investigations are ongoing and anybody with info that might help police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report on-line at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au