James Balcombe skips court for third time, wanted over 10 counts of arson

A party hire company owner from Kangaroo Ground accused of hiring employees to set fire to rival businesses allegedly had his own shed burned in an attempt to divert attention from himself. And he’s still on the run after skipping court for the third time.

A jumping castle business owner who is wanted over 10 counts of arson and known to frequent Eltham has skipped his court date.

A jumping castle company owner accused of hiring employees to torch rival businesses has skipped court for the third time in 11 months.

And police believe the man, who is wanted over 10 counts of arson and was set to front a judge last week, may have fled interstate.

UPDATE AUGUST 19, 2020: JAMES BALCOMBE ARRESTED IN PERTH

James Balcombe was the owner of Awesome Party Hire when he allegedly hired two men to set fire to his competing businesses between December 19, 2016 and February 17, 2017.

Craig Anderson and Peter George Smith pleaded guilty to the torching spree, which caused more than $2 million worth of damage to party hire businesses in Werribee, Hallam, Tullamarine, Keysborough and Warragul.

James Balcombe is accused of hiring people to set fire to bouncy castle businesses across Melbourne.

Another inferno at a Hoppers Crossing factory almost wiped out A & A Jumping Castles when dozens of bouncy castles, a stretch limo and a mechanical bull were destroyed.

The 54-year-old is also accused of having a shed on his Kangaroo Ground property set alight, in March 2017, in an attempt to divert suspicion away from him.

Anderson and Smith were jailed for their involvement but Mr Balcombe is yet to be brought to justice.

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Police have again issued a warrant for his arrest, but believe he may no longer be in Victoria. He is known to frequent the Mernda and Eltham areas.

He is described as caucasian with long grey hair, glasses and a medium build.

Mr Balcombe also failed to front court in May and in December, 2018.

Anyone with information about Mr Balcombe’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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