Trio on the run after attempted arson attack at Flemington tobacco shop
A tobacco shop worker in Melbourne’s west has chased off three men armed with machetes after they tried to set the store alight in the second brazen attack in just days.
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A tobacco shop employee with an axe has chased away three men carrying machetes who tried to set a Flemington business alight.
Three armed males arrived at a smoke shop on Racecourse Rd about 11.20pm Sunday, police believe.
The group doused the front and inside of the store with liquid before trying but failing to set the liquid on fire.
The group assaulted two staff members before fleeing.
Brandishing an axe, one staff member chased the group out of the shop to their getaway vehicle, a dark blue Holden Commodore.
The staff member swung at the vehicle with the axe, damaging the car.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring property captured the moment of the attempted attack, while the street was still busy with pedestrians and traffic.
A dark Commodore can be seen parking outside the shop before three hooded men get out, two carrying machetes and one a jerry can.
After a brief altercation they are pursued away from the shop by the owner and an accomplice.
The owner smashes the rear window of the car with an axe as the assailants drive off.
The agitated shop owner briefly gives chase, having another swipe at the fleeing vehicle.
The same shop was allegedly targeted with similar results on Friday, when the owner also chased away an intruder with an axe.
Exiled crime boss Kazem “Kaz” Hamad has reportedly directed underlings on the ground in Melbourne to target the store’s owner for extortion.
The shaken shop owner refused to speak to media to discuss the latest attempted attack on his store, which sits in the middle of the Racecourse Rd shopping strip.
The police investigation into the incident remains ongoing as of Monday morning.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
It comes as a further two tobacco shops were also allegedly targeted in ram raids in Springvale, also on Sunday night.
It is not known if the incidents are related.
Originally published as Trio on the run after attempted arson attack at Flemington tobacco shop
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