Operation Eclipse to target crime syndicates linked to series of incidents at hospitality venues

A new Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services-led operation has been established to target a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a recent series of incidents at hospitality venues across inner metropolitan Melbourne.

Operation Eclipse will bring together specialist detectives from the Gang Crime Squad, Arsons and Explosives Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Cybercrime Division, Economic Crime Division and the Organised Crime Division to specifically look at the motivation for the recent series of incidents and which serious and organised crime groups may be involved.

The operation will continue to work closely with local police, in particular regional detectives who continue to respond to and investigate these incidents.

The specialist resources in Operation Eclipse will focus on the organisers and those pulling the strings.

Other specialist resources including police from the Public Order Response Team, Operation Alliance and the State Liquor Unit will also support the operation.

Since 14 April, there have been a number of arsons and attempted arsons across the Melbourne CBD, South Melbourne and Prahran entertainment precincts.

This includes the following 15 incidents, which police believe at this time to be linked:

• 14 April – a fire at a Lonsdale Street venue with one person arrested;
• 15 April – a fire at a licenced premise on York Street South Melbourne;
• 16 April – an attempted arson at a licensed premises on Commercial Road, Prahran;
• 16 April – an attempted arson at a licensed premises on Commercial Road, South Yarra;
• 17 April – a fire at a Riverside Quay restaurant and adjoining Southbank Boulevard restaurant in Southbank with two people subsequently arrested;
• 17 April – an incident where shots were fired at the same Lonsdale Street venue targeted three days earlier;
• 21 April – a stolen vehicle intercepted in the CBD after it has been seen acting suspiciously outside several licensed premises, with three people subsequently charged;
• 21 April – attempted arson at a Chapel Street, Prahran licensed premises;
• 23 April – fire at a factory on Atlantic Drive in Keysborough where alcohol is distilled;
• 23 April – an attempted arson at a licensed premises on Toorak Road, South Yarra with two people subsequently arrested;
• 25 April – attempted arson at a licensed premises on ACDC Lane with two people subsequently arrested;
• 26 April – a drive by shooting at a licensed premises on Commercial Road in South Yarra, which was also targeted on 16 April;
• 26 April – a fire at the same licensed premises on Chapel Street, Prahran that was previously targeted on 21 April;
• 26 April – a criminal damage at a licensed premises on Cecil Street South Melbourne; and
• 27 April – an attempted arson at the Southbank Boulevard restaurant previously targeted, with two people subsequently arrested.

Police are also looking at a number of incidents where people or vehicles were seen behaving suspiciously outside licensed premises or filling up jerry cans at service stations.

There have also been two kidnappings which police believe at this stage may be linked to the series.

Twelve people have been arrested in relation to the incidents, and investigators would like to thank the members of the public who have seen something suspicious and subsequently reported it.

Police continue to have an increased presence in both an overt and a covert capacity throughout these entertainment precincts, including increased patrols of these areas and visits to licensed premises.

Police are also working closely with local councils, Fire Rescue Victoria and a range of stakeholders from within the liquor industry as part of the operation.

Investigators are keen to speak to anyone who may have knowledge of these incidents, in particular who is directing them and why.

Police urge anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity in the vicinity of licensed premises or at service stations with regards to the filling of jerry cans to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly, State Anti Gangs Division, Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services:

“Over the past two weeks we’ve seen at least 15 incidents across metropolitan Melbourne where a range of hospitality venues have been targeted and damaged.

“Predominantly this has involved arson attacks, however we are also seeing instances where a firearm has been discharged or people have been kidnapped. The danger these offences place the community in is both significant and unacceptable.

“While there has been a lot of speculation as to why these attacks are occurring and which serious and organised crime groups may be involved, this is something that we are still working to determine and we have to keep an open mind.

“Operation Eclipse has been established to look at the series of incidents and work through who is involved and why, with local detectives and other specialist units continuing to investigate the individual incidents.

“The operation will pull together a range of specialist and experienced detectives and intelligence practitioners in order to best target those who are currently commissioning and directing these crimes, and recruiting predominantly youth offenders to commit them.

“This is a methodology we have seen play out previously, especially with regards to the illicit tobacco conflict.

“For those working within the hospitality industry, I want to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to prevent these attacks from occurring and hold those responsible to account.

“However we need support and assistance from those people who own and work within these venues, as well as the broader hospitality industry.

“We have said so many times over the past few years that fire is unpredictable and dangerous, and we have seen this play out with people being killed and people losing their livelihoods.

“If you have any information at all that you believe could benefit police, then we urge you to come forward and speak with us. As always, this can also be done anonymously and every single piece of information will be thoroughly followed up.

“Operation Eclipse will be looking at every possible avenue to ensure we bring an end to this series of offending as soon as possible and ensure those working in and attending these venues are safe.”

Media Unit

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