3 days ago
WATCH: Arsonist sets fire to car outside shopping centre
Serious and organised crime detectives are probing whether a vehicle fire and an arson attack on an 'American-themed grocery store' at a popular shopping centre in Perth's north are linked.
The latest suspicious blaze occurred outside Ballajura City Shopping Centre, on Illawarra Crescent, when a Toyota Tarago van was set alight by a masked arsonist about 3.30am on Tuesday.
CCTV shows an unknown person smashing the driver's side window of the Toyota before setting it alight, ultimately gutting the vehicle.
The vision shows the flames towering above the van moments after the person, wearing a dark jumper and facial covering, ran away from the car carrying a jerry can.
Firefighters managed to stop the blaze from spreading to nearby businesses.
Detectives from the serious and organised crime division with the assistance of Midland detectives are investigating the incident. The Toyota van that was torched on Tuesday morning outside the Ballajura shopping centre. Credit: WA Police / Supplied A person can be seen running to and from the vehicle before it goes up in flames. Credit: WA Police / Supplied
They are also reviewing an arson investigation into a blaze at the same shopping centre from January 28.
CCTV captured two firebugs who set fire to Candy Station — an American-style grocery store which also sells tobacco products— causing damage to the front and interior of the building. CCTV footage of the arsonists from January 28. Credit: Unknown / WA Police
Police footage shows two masked men approach the store carrying a petrol canister and a large axe.
One man can be seen attempting to break into the store by destroying the front lock with the axe.
Police ask anyone with information to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Rewards up to 25,000 available for provides information that leads to the conviction of an arsonist.
