Police share images of men they are seeking over Arundel arson attacks
Police have released images of men they are seeking in relation to arson attacks that destroyed two businesses – including one owned by a popular influencer. See images and video of the attack.
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Police have released pictures of men they are seeking in relation to arson attacks that destroyed two businesses – including one owned by influencer Troy Williams, also known as Troy Candy.
In June, two suspicious fires broke out at Distribution Court, Arundel just days apart. The first was at family business The Bento Buzz at 3.30am on Saturday June 24. The second was at Eye Candy Motorsports – which was owned by Mr Williams – at 3.30am Wednesday June 28.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Proctor said the attacks were “organised” and may have been intended to send some kind of message to the influencer.
“We think the first fire was an accident, they got the wrong unit, and we believe we came back the second time better prepared,” he said.
Video of the attack on Mr Williams’s business showed the arsonists cutting a hole in the roof before pouring accelerant inside and setting it alight, causing the shop to explode into flames.
On Wednesday police released computer-generated images of two men they are seeking in relation to the attacks.
Anyone with information about the identity of the two suspects is asked to contact Policelink or call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
VIDEO SHOWS HUGE FIREBALL
Police have shared the jarring footage of three people firebombing Troy Candy’s shop in an attack police believe may have been intended as “some kind of payback” against the popular influencer.
Two suspicious fires broke out at Distribution Court, Arundel just days apart. The first was at family business The Bento Buzz at 3.30am on Saturday June 24. The second was at Eye Candy Motorsports – which was owned by influencer Troy Williams, aka Troy Candy – at 3.30am Wednesday June 28.
Footage of the incident on June 24 showed one person – in a black mask – jumping over a closed gate with a jerry can and a hammer.
The person then made his way to unit number 26, poured gasoline on the ground, set a match to it and ran away.
Photos captured the aftermath of the blaze, including marks staining the top storey of the building and smashed windows.
Owners of The Bento Buzz – which had been in the location for eight years – said they were “heartbroken” by the incident.
“My heart is broken and I can’t stop crying,” owner Peta said to their 42,000 Instagram followers.
“I have no other words for now, I need to wrap my head around this devastating turn of events.
“Thank you for your support of our family business over the last eight years.
“It’s meant the world to me.”
In the attack on Troy Candy’s car-wrap business four days later two men – one in a hi-vis uniform and then other in black clothing – made their way to unit number 16.
The men cut a hole in the roof of the business before pouring accelarant inside and setting it alight.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Proctor said it was an “organised” and targeted attack.
“We think the first fire was an accident, they got the wrong unit, and we believe we came back the second time better prepared,” he said.
“They created a lot more damage and we believe the second unit is their intended target.
“.... The first attempt was pretty amateurish, the second was quite organised. They did cut holes in the roof and they poured accelerants and lit them. And you can see in the footage the explosion it made. It’s quite elaborate, it’s quite a lot.
“Normally when you talk about people targeting businesses something is thrown through the front window or something like that where this is gone to a lot of trouble to either send a message or to cause financial detriment to the person.”
Det Insp Proctor said Troy Candy’s business had been ruined and the influencer was “in the dark” about who was responsible for the incident.
“Obviously it was some kind of payback or to cause some kind of financial detriment. His business is ruined, it’s closed. It was uninsured,” he said.
“... He (Troy Candy) has been very co-operative with police. He has provided statements and he has done basically everything we’ve asked of him.
“But he’s in the dark as well.”
It’s understood about six vehicles including a Rolls Royce were inside Troy Candy’s custom car-wrap business at the time of the attack, with one sustaining minor damage.
Nearby shed owner Rob Johnstone said it was a “concern” if someone was targeting the complex.
“You’re supposed to be safe,” he said.
Mr Johnstone said he had spoken to a forensics officer on Wednesday and heard the perpetrators had jumped the fence into the complex.
“They put a ladder up (on to the building) and ran across the top of the building and put a fire bomb down,” he said.
The video shows the two people calmly walking away from the scene.
Police are urging anyone with any information about the people seen in the videos to contact policelink at 131 444.
Investigations into both fires remain ongoing and whether the two were linked due to their proximity.
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