News / Crime
Police investigating arson attempt on barber shop
Offenders appear to burn themselves in bungled attack
Brunswick Voice
TWO would-be arsonists have been filmed on CCTV during a bungled firebomb attack on a Brunswick barber shop this week.
Police have released the footage from a security camera as part of their investigation into the attack on Jewell Barber, on the Upfield path near Union Street, on Monday morning.
Two unidentified offenders threw a fuel cannister through the front window of the barbershop at about 4am before tossing a cigarette lighter inside through the broken window.
The lighter failed to ignite the fuel with the offenders only managing to burn themselves and a small amount of accelerant outside the store.
The pair fled the scene after they were disturbed by a witness.
They were seen running through a garden bed and into a dark coloured SUV which sped off in an easterly direction on Little Gold Street.
The shop is on the ground floor of a residential apartment building within a few dozen metres of Jewell Station.
The 160 seconds of footage begins with the two arsonists, who are both dressed in dark clothes with their heads covered by hoodies, getting out of the SUV which was parked near the shop in Little Gold Street. One of them then smashes the glass door of the shop with a heavy object.
They light the fuel can but the flaring of the flames appears to surprise them and they run back to the SUV leaving the burning fuel behind near the door to the shop.
About 30 seconds later, the driver returns to the flames and seems to attempt to move the still burning fuel tank but gives up when they are disturbed by the witness.
The same shop was also targeted by arsonists a few days earlier.
Anyone with information that can assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
