Tiara Madison Cox faces court charged over Pennington arson as SA Police’s tobacco task force swoops

A woman charged with arson under a police taskforce cracking down on Adelaide’s tobacco wars has appeared in court after a “gift shop” went up in flames.

A woman accused of setting a Pennington “gift shop” on fire last month was on bail for an arson charge at the time of the illicit tobacco-linked blaze.

On Thursday, Tiara Madison Cox, 24, appeared for the first time accused of setting the blaze that gutted the Addison Rd business in October.

Ms Cox, currently homeless, appeared via video screen as her acting duty solicitor asked the court to release her on supervised bail – as she had been released on previously.

Police prosecutors told the court they would oppose that, given she was on bail for an alleged arson at the time of the fire, and the fire was allegedly linked to the illicit tobacco trade.

Ms Cox was arrested by SA Police’s special task force into the illicit tobacco market, which was investigating the Addison Rd business arson last month.

On October 15, just before 5am, a vehicle was driven into the front of a gift shop, causing significant damage to the building’s structure.

After the crash, the shop – which had smoking accessories visible on shelves – was damaged further when a mattress at the front of the business was doused in an accelerant and set alight.

A woman has been arrested after SA Police’s special task force into the illicit tobacco market investigated a business arson at Pennington last month. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The damaged gift shop at the corner of Addison Rd and Wynette St, Pennington. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The arson was investigated by Western District police working with officers from Operation Eclipse.

Ms Cox was on Thursday arrested for the fire, and a warrant relating to an unrelated matter.

The court heard Ms Cox would be contesting the charges before the court as identity would be an issue.

“From the facts of charge provided, ID is clearly an issue, it seems that Ms Cox has become a suspect through text messages on the victim’s phone, these haven’t been provided,” Counsel for Ms Cox said.

“None of the clothes described in the CCTV has been located or connected to Ms Cox.

“There is a description of a dark patch on the inside of the left arm on the CCTV, which police say is consistent with the tattoo on Ms Cox’s arm, but that seems to be the extent of the connection.”

Magistrate Karim Soetratma said he would not consider bail less than home detention in the circumstances, and ordered a suitability report for a Campbelltown address.

Ms Cox will return to court later this month.

Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing with further arrests anticipated.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby, of Operation Eclipse said the arrest “demonstrates SAPOL’s commitment to relentlessly investigate arson and offences of violence and hold those responsible to account.”