Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad have this morning arrested three teenage boys after two cars were firebombed and a boy was located with life-threatening burns in Taylors Hill on Monday morning.
With assistance from North West Metro Divisional Response Unit and the VIPER Taskforce, search warrants were executed in the Merri-bek and Hume areas early this morning.
A 16-year-old boy from the Merri-Bek area, and two boys from the Hume area, a 16-year-old and a 15-year-old, have all been taken into custody and will now be interviewed by police.
This morning’s activity follows an incident where emergency services responded to reports that two cars parked on Woolwich Way had been set alight around 5.12am on Monday, 5 October.
Officers arrived and located two vehicles engulfed in flames, along with a 13-year-old boy with severe burns nearby.
It is believed the injured teen had attempted to flee in a white Hyundai Tucson, before the vehicle crashed into bushes.
The Tucson is believed to have been stolen from Hoppers Crossing on 4 October.
The boy suffered burns to over 90% of his body and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad:
“As a result of this incident, we have a young boy whose life is currently hanging in the balance. We intend to hold all those who were with him responsible for his critical injuries but importantly, we are committed to identifying those who tasked this arson. Without their involvement, these crimes would not occur. It will be a matter of time before they are held to account.
“Criminal syndicates task youth offenders to commit their offending because they believe they are easier to manipulate and easier to replace. They are the ones who profit, whilst young offenders bear all the risk.
“Those who start fires rarely control where they end. Once a fire is lit, it becomes unpredictable, uncontrollable and potentially deadly. It can end in tragedy, and in this scenario, it has – a young boy has suffered life changing critical injuries.
“Lighting a fire means putting yourself in danger. Let me be clear: this is not a game – no amount of money is worth risking your future or your life.
“Arson is a serious criminal offence that puts lives at risk. Whether you planned it, directed it, financed it, or carried it out, police will use every available investigative avenue to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.”
