Troy Cole: Fitzroy alleged arsonist’s disturbing message written in soot
A man has written foul language on the wall of a burning apartment before allegedly making off with a wedding dress and women’s underwear.
Melbourne City
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Women’s underwear and an expensive wedding dress were allegedly stolen moments before an apartment was set alight and offensive language smeared on the wall in soot.
Troy Cole appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court accused of ransacking and setting fire to a George St property on November 7.
Mr Cole faces eight charges including causing criminal damage by fire, burglary, theft and reckless conduct.
A summary read out in court alleges the 40-year-old broke into and ransacked the apartment while the owners were out in the early hours of the morning.
According to court documents Mr Cole allegedly stole a Celine wedding dress, 10 to 15 pieces of women’s underwear, a set of silver cufflinks, three bank cards and a North Face yellow duffel bag.
He is accused of starting fires in the kitchen, loungeroom and in the bedroom, where he wrote ‘ … THE C**T’ in soot before leaving the apartment while it was ablaze.
The court heard he walked down George St and tried to hail a taxi at 6.59am, but was refused a ride because he could not provide payment upfront.
Police believe he was seen out the front of the property carrying bags while firefighters put out the blaze.
Fire crews arrived at 7am, evacuating the three-storey building and working to put out the ground-floor flames.
The cause of the fire was deemed suspicious and forensic crews were called to assess the scene.
On the same day Mr Cole was accused of stealing drinks and a phone recharge voucher at a Fitzroy Coles at 3.48pm and later stealing cable ties, cigarettes and drinks from a CBD Woolworths.
The court heard he was arrested on St Georges Rd in Fitzroy North and allegedly found with cannabis, methyl amphetamine and multiple cards in different names on November 20.
Mr Cole was charged for breaching his bail which was granted on October 17, 2020.
The case will return to court on July 26 at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
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