Man Charged Over Melbourne Law Firm Fire and Tobacco Store Shooting

Police have charged a 32-year-old man in relation to a fire that destroyed a law firm housed in a converted factory in Spotswood, Melbourne, in May. The blaze occurred around 2:30 AM on May 26, when a ute allegedly rammed the building on Hudsons Road. The incident forced the evacuation of residents from neighboring properties, and over 50 firefighters battled the fire for two hours before it was contained. Some damage also extended to adjacent businesses. The man faces a string of charges, including arson, reckless conduct endangering life, breaching bail conditions, and driving while disqualified. Authorities allege the fire was deliberately set. The new charges also link him to a separate incident involving a shooting at a tobacco store in Altona North on May 13, two weeks before the Spotswood fire. Bullet damage was visible on the front window of the Altona North tobacco shop. In relation to the tobacco store incident, the man is charged with possessing a firearm when a prohibition order applies (twice), possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms (two or more), reckless conduct endangering life, possessing a drug of dependence, going equipped to steal, and handling stolen goods. Police stated that the man has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in October for both incidents. Investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events and the man's alleged involvement in both the arson and the shooting. The charges indicate a pattern of serious criminal activity, with the man allegedly involved in dangerous acts that put lives at risk. The ongoing investigation aims to establish the full extent of his alleged crimes and any potential motives behind them.

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The new charges include possess firearm when firearm prohibition order applies (x2), possess traffickable quantity of firearms (2 or more), reckless conduct endanger life, possess drug of dependence, going equipped to steal, handle stolen goods.