Sonsa Market firebombing one of 11 arson attacks linked to Middle Eastern crime gang feud

A war between Middle Eastern organised crime gangs is suspected to be behind close to a dozen arson attacks across Melbourne, including Collingwood’s Sonsa Market.

A war between Middle Eastern organised crime gangs is suspected to be behind a spate of firebombing attacks across Melbourne.

Police have branded the 11 attacks, which have targeted both homes and businesses, as “utterly reckless and completely criminal”.

“It is only sheer luck that one of these fires hasn’t resulted in the death or serious injury of someone,” Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.

“The use of arson by criminal groups has a significant impact on the whole community and won’t be tolerated.”

Sonsa Market was firebombed on June 29. Picture: David Crosling

Detectives from the Arson and Explosive Squad, as well as members of the anti-bikie Echo Taskforce and anti-gang VIPER Taskforce, are probing the incidents.

The string of incidents include the torching of the Sonsa Market supermarket on Smith St in Collingwood on June 29.

Police believe at least three people used hammers to break the front glass of a store before setting the grocery, which sells a range of Mediterranean products, alight.

Investigators are searching for two men they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries after they were captured on CCTV arguing outside the store on June 22, a week before the firebombing attack.

The footage captures then men hurling abuse and threats on the footpath outside the store.

“You wanna go again? We’ll go again,” one man yells.

“She’s beautiful” and “f--k off” are also yelled to a third man before the men walk away.

The public’s help will be crucial to the investigation, with police so far unable to locate the two men who were filmed arguing outside the Sonsa Market.

Investigators will probe whether that argument sparked the attacks.

Inspector Murray said the targeted business owners had not been forthcoming with police.

“We want these arson attacks to stop, let me be clear.

He said the attacks were “clearly gang-related” and were a slew of tit-for-tat incidents.

Investigators believe the arson attacks could also be drug-related.

“They’re trying to make a statement,” he said.

Mick Daly from the VIPER taskforce said the offenders had the “undivided attention” of police.

Detective Inspector Ash Ryan from the Echo taskforce said at least two Middle Eastern outlaw motorcycle gangs were involved in the spate of arson attacks.

He said the dedicated police effort was expected to thwart the number of attacks “immediately”.

Police do not believe other attacks are linked to the 11 arson attacks being probed by the three taskforces.

A petrol can left at Sonsa Market. Picture: David Crosling

Two days after the verbal altercation, on June 24, 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.

A day later, on June 25, another two cars were doused in accelerant before being attempted to be set on fire in the driveway of a Greenvale home.

One day after that, on June 26, a man broke into a luxury car dealership in Oakleigh and set the building ablaze causing more than $1m in damage.

Police believe the man arrived at the business just before 3am in a grey Audi A4 wagon.

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, had his property on Hawkesbury Green in Caroline Springs attacked by arsonists.

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

Both properties sustained significant damage.

Police believe 11 arson attacks are linked to a crime gang feud. Picture: David Crosling

Police believe the warring sides are also involved in the break-in and arson of the Port Melbourne headquarters of a building company about 3am on July 7.

A crash on the Deer Park bypass later that morning is also suspected to be connected to the attacks.

Two men from the cars were involved in an altercation after the collision before both vehicles drove away.

Investigators will “deep dive” into the businesses at the centre of the attacks in a bid to establish the motive.

The Arson Squad’s Detective Inspector Chris Murray said detectives would do everything in their power to protect the community, whose safety — and potentially their lives — were put at risk by the personal attacks.

“The individuals behind these attacks have got our undivided attention,” he said.

“We’re not going to sit back and let arsons take place without a response, and that response will be significant.

“Members of the community are put at risk and we’re not going to sit back and watch that.

“What we know is they (arsons) are very brazen in nature and clearly personal and targeted.”

Inspector Murray said the alleged offenders held no consideration for those living near the targeted businesses, with some residents living directly above the properties that were attacked.

“They don’t care … and we’re going to do something about it,” he said.

Victoria Police has joined two anti gang units and the arson and explosives squad to investigate all eleven incidents.

“Police will be knocking on the doors of every single person we think could possibly be linked to these incidents and doing everything we can to put a stop to it,” said Inspector Ryan.

Anyone with information or CCTV/dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au