Local Ice-Cream Store Destroyed in Arson Attack
An ice-cream store in Melbourne’s west has been the victim of a devastating arson attack, leaving its owner and staff in shock. The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when the shop, Gelateria on the Docks, located in Tarneit, was engulfed in flames.
Mahmoud Haddara, the owner of the store, received an alert on his mobile phone at 2:30am, indicating a break-in at his business. He quickly checked his CCTV footage and saw someone inside the store before it caught fire. “I don’t know why they came and burned my shop,” he said, expressing his confusion and distress.
Haddara, who has operated the store for two years, emphasized that there had never been any prior issues with the business. “I work very hard for this community. I’ve been open for two years. I need to ask the one who burnt my shop … why?” he said, reflecting on the sudden and unprovoked attack.
The fire caused significant damage to the shop, but Haddara remains determined to rebuild. “I’m working, trying to do a good thing for my family, and this is what’s happened,” he added.
Store manager Othman Hawari described the scene as heartbreaking. “It’s very devastating to walk into our shop that we’ve built and we’ve put all our hard work into and you see everything’s burnt down and broken and smashed,” he said. Hawari and his team have already begun cleaning up the premises in hopes of reopening as soon as possible.
Community Shocked by the Incident
Navpreet Kaur, a local shop owner living nearby, was awakened by a loud noise during the incident. “It was like a thousand bottles of glass broke at one time,” she said. She expressed concern about the safety of the area, especially after witnessing the destruction firsthand.
Kaur spoke briefly with Haddara, who was visibly emotional. “I talked to the owner, but they were very emotional and upset, so I didn’t talk long,” she said.
Another local worker, Ali, shared his fears about the increasing incidents in the area. “Someone broke our glass and came in here for cash … the [nearby] grocery store as well,” he said. Ali, who moved from Pakistan, initially believed Australia would be a safer place. “I thought Pakistan was not safe so we came to Australia because it was a very safe country but … to be honest, I’m scared. When I go for a night drive, I feel scared.”
Police Arrest Two Teenagers in Connection with the Fire
Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with the fire, which is currently under investigation. According to authorities, multiple people were seen fleeing the Wool Street store in a vehicle that was later found dumped at the intersection of Dohertys and Mount Cottrell roads in Mount Cottrell.
A thorough search of the area included the critical incident response team, dog squad, and air wing. The two 17-year-old boys were arrested around 5am. One of them was taken to hospital after being bitten by a police dog.
The accused have been charged with several offenses, including aggravated burglary, criminal damage by fire, conduct endangering life or serious injury, car theft, and possessing articles to destroy. One of the suspects will be directly presented to a children’s court, while the other remains in hospital and will face a bedside remand hearing.
Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They encourage individuals who witnessed the event, have dashcam or CCTV footage, or possess other relevant details to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopersvic.com.au.
