Fatal fire probe 'getting closer' to answers as major reward announced
Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property.
Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home.
"Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
"And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said.
Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said.
"We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said.
A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said.
The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward".
"Katie's family deserves answers," he said.
Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said.
Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can.
The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men.
A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build.
Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man.
CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16.
Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area.
Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames.
The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire.
Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack.
Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute.
Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said.
"These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said.
"I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced.
Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property.
Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home.
"Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
"And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said.
Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said.
"We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said.
A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said.
The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward".
"Katie's family deserves answers," he said.
Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said.
Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can.
The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men.
A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build.
Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man.
CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16.
Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area.
Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames.
The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire.
Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack.
Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute.
Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said.
"These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said.
"I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced.
Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property.
Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home.
"Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
"And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said.
Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said.
"We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said.
A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said.
The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward".
"Katie's family deserves answers," he said.
Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said.
Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can.
The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men.
A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build.
Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man.
CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16.
Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area.
Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames.
The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire.
Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack.
Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute.
Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said.
"These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said.
"I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced.
Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property.
Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home.
"Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.
"And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said.
Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said.
"We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said.
A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said.
The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward".
"Katie's family deserves answers," he said.
Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said.
Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can.
The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men.
A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build.
Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man.
CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16.
Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area.
Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames.
The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire.
Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack.
Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute.
Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said.
"These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said.
"I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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A briefing to Police Minister Yasmin Catley, seen by this masthead, suggests players 'responsible for violence in Victoria' have moved into NSW and aligned themselves with 'known actors'. Asian and Middle Eastern organised crime groups have also become involved in the illicit tobacco trade, the briefing says. There are two reasons for this – illegal tobacco has a much larger potential market than illicit drugs, and the penalties for importing or selling illicit smokes are considerably lighter than for drugs. 'Large organised crime groups that have traditionally been involved in drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and ransom, they've all got an offshoot in illegal tobacco,' Bennett said. 'From what I can see, it's easily as lucrative as illegal drugs. 'We're certainly seeing that sort of traditional organised crime tactics around eliminating competition and establishing an area where you can do business.' Loading Arson attacks, which have authorities particularly concerned because of the proximity of many tobacconists to residential dwellings, have been used in NSW, says the briefing to the police minister. Legitimate retailers have also been targeted by organised crime, who are forced to sell illicit products on behalf of the crime group then are extorted for protection money. In a matter before the courts, a man allegedly planned to steal almost $1 million in cash from the home of a NSW tobacconist in November last year. Documents seen by the Herald allege the man used a device to track multiple cars and was heard on a phone tap discussing kidnapping people, dressing up as a police officer to orchestrate a vehicle stop or breaking into storage sheds. Police tracking the man and his co-accused stymied the alleged plot before the money – which police say is profits from illegal tobacco – could be stolen. He cannot be identified for legal reasons. In a separate case, an alleged tobacco runner had his big toe partially severed; in another instance last year, a tobacconist business was burnt to the ground. Bennett said it could be difficult to discern if this extreme violence was born of illegal drugs or tobacco, but 'more frequently we're finding from our intelligence base and from talking to the police, and talking to victims and talking to offenders, that the motivation is illegal tobacco'. The business of illicit tobacco has ensnared a huge number of seemingly everyday people – such as the Sydney woman with $2 million in the boot, now before the courts on two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime – whose alleged role is to move huge volumes of cash, cigarettes and tobacco up and down the eastern seaboard. Loading In January, a truck driver was caught in one of the north shore's most moneyed suburbs, allegedly with $1 million in the back of his truck. The money was seized by the Crime Commission and he remains before the courts on proceeds of crime offences. That man, too, cannot be identified. Bennett said the NSW Police have been 'very active, very busy' both in vehicle stops of the type that allegedly both foiled the truck driver and the Sydney woman, and in their ongoing fight against organised crime. 'On a local [police station] level is where you get that short-term information based around storage sheds or vehicle movements,' which have led to 'quite a few' seizures north of $1 million, Bennett said. Police are heavily involved in stopping illegal tobacco, but debate has raged over exactly who should regulate it. While NSW Health is the lead agency, it is ill equipped to take on the underworld. Minns has said he doesn't want police taken away from the fight against domestic violence and organised crime. Commercial implications Then there is the question of the place of illegal tobacconists in the commercial landscape. On Penrith's main street, there are four within a 50-metre radius. Dozens more feature along the suburb's main strip. On the other side of the city, tourists alighting from the famous Manly ferry pass three as they walk the 450 metres down the Corso to the beach. 'There's a massive capital investment going into illegal tobacco sales,' Bennett said, something that has alarmed many communities. Independent MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby has been agitating for more action on illegal tobacconists, and says there is 'real fear' in the community because of tobacconists' links to organised crime. She says legitimate businesses are being pushed out, neighbouring business owners have seen an increase in insurance premiums because of the risk of firebombs, and people living near or above those shops are concerned about being caught in the crossfire. Scruby has made a number of submissions to a parliamentary inquiry, including buffer zones to prohibit businesses around schools and playgrounds, tougher penalties and moving the responsibility for enforcement to a 'better resourced' interagency taskforce. But with illegal tobacco being sold in plain sight, issues with regulation and the sheer volume of illicit smokes for sale, the problem for government remains diabolical. 'Everyone's got a stake in stopping this and that's got to start with people not buying it,' Bennett says firmly. 'But whether Joe Average is willing to pay double or triple what they can pay to mitigate the organised crime aspect of it remains to be seen.'
