Darren Macdonald: St Kilda alleged Electric Rooster arsonist charged with committing arson
Alleged tattoo shop arsonist went back to crime scene “bragging and smirking”, a court has heard. Here’s what happened.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man who gifted metal roosters to a tattoo parlour and then allegedly cracked it and firebombed the studio has faced court.
Darren MacDonald, 54, appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link on Thursday, May 6, charged with committing arson and causing $5000 worth of damage to the shopfront.
The court heard police allege the Carlton man lit the fire at the Electric Rooster Tattoo Studio on Fitzroy St on March 23.
Mr MacDonald alleged threatened to stab staff after gifting the shop two metal roosters.
Police allege the fire was sparked by a lit can of fuel that was thrown at the shop.
The court heard the fire could have spread to a number of apartments above the shop if emergency crews hadn’t controlled it early.
In a police statement read to the court it is alleged Mr MacDonald previously made threats toward the tattoo parlour.
The court heard Electric Rooster Tattoo Studio owner Stefano Forte told police a man named Darren gifted the shop two metal roosters two months before the fire.
The roosters were thrown away causing the man to become angry, and he threatened staff verbally and in writing.
It was revealed the alleged arsonist attended the parlour three times before the fire to demand money, smash a sign at the front of the shop and threatened to stab a staff member.
In a statement read to the court police said Mr MacDonald allegedly returned to the scene, “bragging and smirking” about lighting the fire.
“(He) has attended the tattoo studio twice since the incident, bragging and smirking that he was the one responsible for the fire,” the police informant said.
“ (Mr) Macdonald displays a lack of empathy and remorse for his actions.”
Police issued a warrant and raided Mr Macdonald’s house on April 5, allegedly finding the same clothing captured on CCTV at the time of the fire.
He was arrested and taken to the St Kilda police station to be interviewed but made no comment.
Magistrate Kieran Gilligan granted Mr MacDonald bail under several conditions.
Mr MacDonald is banned from visiting St Kilda, or coming within 200m of the Electric Rooster Tattoo Studio, and is not allowed to contact witnesses.
He will return to the Melbourne Magistrates'’ Court on July 1.
Follow The Melbourne City News on Facebook to keep up to date with other local stories.
How vile thugs put popular reggae DJ in induced coma
Three thugs savagely attacked a popular reggae DJ and left him to die outside a Toorak nightclub after he asked them to move away from his Jeep.
New trio, returning faces set to boost Cobras in 2025
A talented trio of signings and returning faces who will be like “new recruits” are set to boost the Old Yarra Cobras as they seek to reset after relegation last season.