Four teenagers have been charged over a string of burglary and arson incidents that Victoria Police say is linked to an ongoing tobacco war.
Two boys and two girls were arrested and charged early on Saturday morning after search warrants were executive at three homes in Springvale, Mulgrave and Pakenham.
Police allege the teenagers were linked to an aggravated burglary in Wonga Park, arson at a Ballarat tobacconist and two arson attacks at a Mill Park restaurant.
The Al Nafoura restaurant in Mill Park was targeted by arsonists on both Tuesday and early on Saturday morning.
Police said a security guard was threatened with a firearm during the Saturday morning incident but was not injured.
Authorities are also investigating a car fire at the corner of Plenty and Childs roads in Mill Park that happened around 5:20 AM.
A 16-year-old Pakenham girl was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life, conduct endangering serious injury and theft of a motor vehicle.
A 15-year-old Springvale boy was charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, three counts of handling stolen goods, car theft and possessing a prohibited weapon.
A 14-year-old Mulgrave boy has been charged with aggravated burglary and theft of a motor vehicle, and a 16-year-old Mulgrave girl has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle.
All four will appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Stolen vehicle with links to Ballarat fire
Police said a white Isuzu D Max truck was stolen in the Wonga Park burglary on either February 19 or 20, and was then used on the first attempted arson on the Al Nafoura restaurant a week later.
They allege the same vehicle was then used in an arson attack the following night at a Sturt Street tobacconist in Ballarat.
The store was significantly damaged during the incident, with the vehicle found burnt out on Eureka Street.
Police say their investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
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