Police charge two men over Browns Plains tobacconist fire which injured workers
Police say they have made a breakthrough in stopping escalating tobacco violence, with the arrest of two alleged outlaw motorcycle gang associates over a fire at a store where two people were sleeping.
QLD News
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Police have charged two alleged outlaw motorcycle gang associates over a horrific tobacconist fire south of Brisbane which injured multiple people who were sleeping inside the store.
Emergency crews were called to Browns Plains Tobacconist on May 30 about 12.15am after reports the building was engulfed in flames.
Two men – aged 47 and 54 – were sleeping inside the store in a bid to protect it when multiple people allegedly broke in and spread accelerants around the shop.
The two men suffered severe burns and were rushed to hospital, while the alleged attackers fled the scene.
It’s understood one of the men had spent two weeks in hospital and the other has since been released but will have ongoing medical issues as a result of the fire.
On Wednesday, Logan District Criminal Investigation Branch arrested Robert Leslie Spencer, 41 and Adam John Murray, 40 over the incident at Ashmore and Ascot.
Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett said police will allege the two men charged were associated with an outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG).
Inspector Bennet said the arrests were a “breakthrough” in stopping escalating tobacco violence.
“That’s why Taskfoce Masher has been stood up, and that’s why we’re taking this investigation pretty seriously,” he said.
“There is increased activity around the illicit tobacco trade in the industry.”
Inspector Bennett said criminal enterprises were a challenge for police.
“This was a very challenging investigation, and just a reminder to the community that we do take these offences very seriously.”
Inspector Bennet said 12 people have also been arrested in connection with violence tied to the illicit tobacco trade as part of Operation X-Ray Blazing since March 31.
“This was (allegedly) a deliberate and dangerous act that could have easily resulted in loss of life,” he said.
“It’s through the dedication of detectives and specialist officers that we’ve been able to identify and apprehend those (allegedly) responsible.”
The arrests formed part of Operation X-Ray Tank, which involved help from the state’s bikie busting squad – Taskforce Maxima.
It also involved the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), and the Drug and Serious Crime Group.
The two men have been charged with one count each of arson – structure or building, arson – motor vehicle-train-aircraft-vessel and unlawful use of motor vehicles aircraft or vessels – use used/intended for indictable offence in the night in company – and two counts of acts intended to cause GBH or transmit serious disease.
Both men were remanded into custody and appeared at Beenleigh Magistrates Court today.
Originally published as Police charge two men over Browns Plains tobacconist fire which injured workers
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