Major breakthrough in Melbourne firebombing attacks

A former bikie strongman and the brother of a firebombing victim have been arrested amid a probe into at least 11 arson attacks on homes and businesses across Melbourne.

A former bikie and the brother of a firebombing victim have been arrested by police probing a string of firebombings across Melbourne.

The arrests mark a breakthrough in police efforts to thwart a feud between warring Middle Eastern crime groups who are believed to be behind at least 11 arson attacks on homes and businesses.

Hasan Gunes and Harwe Sherwani were taken into custody on Wednesday over an alleged clash beside the Western Freeway at Ravenhall on July 7.

Mr Gunes has been charged with reckless conduct endangering injury and affray regarding the incident.

He is expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Mr Sherwani was released without charge.

The incident allegedly involved car being run off the Deer Park Bypass by another vehicle in the moments preceding the confrontation.

Sonsa Market was firebombed on July 13. Picture: David Crosling

One man allegedly threatened another with a hammer in the roadside drama.

Mr Gunes, 31, is the brother of Ali Gunes, the co-owner of the Sonsa Market in Collingwood, which was firebombed on June 29.

Hasan Gunes was arrested at North Balwyn on Wednesday morning at the same time as ex-Comanchero Mr Sherwani was apprehended at Caroline Springs.

The home of Sherwani, 32, a former patched member of the Comancheros, has been firebombed three times during the recent chain of incidents.

Detective Inspector Mick Daly from the Viper task force said Wednesday’s arrests were just two in a number of arrests expected to follow over the arsons.

Those linked to these groups can expect to see us sooner rather than later,” he said.

“This altercation and the incident on the freeway leading up to it had the potential to put other road users at significant and completely unnecessary risk.

“We already know that these groups have very little concern for the safety of the broader community, as seen by the number of tit-for-tat arson incidents that have occurred as part of this dispute.

Police believe the attack is linked to warring between Middle Eastern crime groups. Picture: David Crosling

“As police made clear last week, this is not acceptable behaviour in any way and we have a significant police operation underway to disrupt these attacks and hold those involved to account.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the attack was linked to 11 other targeted arson attacks between warring Middle Eastern organised crime groups.

The motive behind the attacks remains unclear.

It comes after another blaze gutted the Fighters Xpress mixed martial arts gym in Dandenong on Sunday, an attack police now say is linked to the spate of previous incidents.

Two men were caught on CCTV hurling abuse at one another outside the Sonsa Market on Smith St in Collingwood a week before attackers used a hammer to break into the store and set it alight on June 29.

Homes, businesses and cars parked in driveways across Fawkner, Greenvale, Oakleigh, Fraser Rise, Caroline Springs, Maribyrnong, Collingwood and Port Melbourne have all been targeted in the feud.

Two cars connected to a director of the grocery store were torched in the driveway of a Fawkner home in the early hours of the morning on June 24.

A house fire in Caroline Springs is also believed to be linked.

On June 25, another two cars were doused in accelerants in the driveway of a Greenvale home.

One day after that, a man broke into the Elite Motor Garage luxury car dealership in Oakleigh, setting the building ablaze and causing more than $1m in damage.

A home occupied by five people on Petros St in Fraser Rise in Melbourne’s northwest was set alight on June 27.

An associate, who attempted to assist the occupants of the Fraser Rise home, then had his property on Hawkesbury Green in Caroline Springs attacked by arsonists.

The Caroline Springs property was targeted another two times, with more fires lit on July 9 and 10.

Police do not believe several fires at tobacco stores, including a vape store linked to gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim, are connected.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.