Two men arrested after alleged arson, ram raid at Fawkner’s Major Road Milk Bar

A northern suburbs milk bar previously hit by thugs was set on fire last week as police arrest two men who allegedly burned out a stolen car nearby.

The Major Road Milk Bar in Fawkner has been badly damaged by fire after a car rammed the shop and the front was set alight before the offenders fled the scene early Thursday May 16 2024. Picture: Supplied

The owner of a Melbourne milk bar was asleep inside when his shop was set on fire last week as the alleged arsonists have been charged.

Two men will front court after emergency services were called to a suspicious blaze at Fawkner on Thursday where they also discovered a damaged roller door after an alleged ram raid.

Police say a car was driven into the Major Road Milk Bar about 5.30am and the shop set on fire before the alleged offenders drove away in the same vehicle.

The owner of the business was asleep at the rear of the premises but luckily woke up in time to alert authorities.

The Herald Sun can reveal the same venue was the target of an attempted arson attack in August 2022 when an alleged offender repeatedly tried to set fire to the front of the store but failed.

Police and firefighters remained at the Major Rd, Fawkner scene on Thursday morning. Picture: David Crosling (generic)

Following the incident on Thursday, the alleged offenders drove off in a suspected stolen car before allegedly setting it alight at Erinbank Cct, Westmeadows.

The alleged offenders were later captured on CCTV footage, with one holding what appeared to be a firearm.

A 19-year-old Westmeadows man was arrested on Friday and charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, possess prohibited weapon and possess cartridge ammunition.

A gel blaster imitation firearm was also located during a search warrant at the Westmeadows address.

A 35-year-old Broadmeadows man was also arrested later that day.

He was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire and possess prohibited weapon.

The duo were remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 12 August.

A police spokeswoman on Thursday said the recent alleged arson was not believed to be connected to the 2022 incident.

Milk bar owner Nathea previously told Channel 9 that he refused to give in to thugs and if he closed down they would be “winning”.

He revealed he was previously assaulted and spat on inside the shop and the store was later trashed and vandalised by a group of disguised assailants.

The milk bar was closed for 55 days in 2022 to allow insurers to repair the damage from vandals and within a week of reopening it was targeted by a would-be arsonist while he slept inside.

It comes the morning after a suspicious fire ripped through two fast-food stores in another Melbourne north suburb.