Taskforce Lunar Makes Arrests in Cohuna Arson Case
Two men have been arrested by detectives from Taskforce Lunar following an arson attack at a tobacco store in Cohuna earlier this month.
On Tuesday, 16 July, a search warrant was executed at a residential address in Tarneit, resulting in the arrest of a 37-year-old man from Tarneit. He has been charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, theft, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of cannabis, possession of a prohibited weapon, and failing to provide a personal identification number. He is currently remanded and is expected to appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court on 9 October.
During the search, police seized a stolen Mazda CX5 with cloned plates, a jerry can, a small amount of cannabis, a conducted electricity device, and a small amount of cash.
In a separate incident, a second warrant was executed this morning at a residential address in Broadmeadows, resulting in the arrest of a 44-year-old man. He will be interviewed by police.
The charges stem from an incident on Sunday, 7 July, when a car was driven into a business on King George Street in Cohuna at around 3 am before being set on fire. Fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time, but the fire caused significant damage and had a major impact on neighbouring businesses.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks, from Taskforce Lunar, stated, “The estimated cost of the damage from these arson attacks is well and truly above a million dollars. Since Taskforce Lunar was established last October, we have arrested over 70 people involved in serious and violent offending linked to the illicit tobacco trade, and we will continue to do so. You will be targeted, and you will be held to account.”
He also urged the community to come forward with any information related to illegal activity involving illicit tobacco. “While we understand the cost of legal tobacco is high, in purchasing illegal tobacco you are effectively funding organized crime – that money will be used in serious and violent offending such as firearms incidents, extortions, arsons, illicit drug manufacture and trafficking, and at its worst, murders.”
