A 17-year-old boy from Baldivis has been remanded in custody after a fire was deliberately lit at a local convenience store, in an incident police allege is connected to the illegal tobacco market.
Court hears details of alleged arson attack
The teenager faced Perth Children's Court on Tuesday, charged with one count of criminal damage by fire. Police prosecutors told the court the blaze was set at the Baldivis Central Shopping Centre on Eighty Road in the early hours of Monday morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene just after 3:30 am, where they found the store well alight. Firefighters managed to contain the fire, but the business sustained significant damage.
Link to illicit tobacco trade investigated
Detectives from the Arson Squad are leading the investigation. They informed the court that the attack is believed to be directly linked to the illicit tobacco trade, a growing concern for law enforcement and small businesses across Western Australia.
While specific details of the connection were not fully disclosed in court, police indicated that the motive forms a key part of their ongoing inquiries. The trade in illegal cigarettes has been associated with increasing violence and property crime targeting retailers.
Legal proceedings and community impact
The court heard an application for bail, which was opposed by police prosecutors. The magistrate ultimately remanded the 17-year-old in custody to appear again at Perth Children's Court on a later date.
This incident has shaken the local Baldivis community, raising concerns about the safety of small business owners. It highlights the dangerous and sometimes violent methods employed by those involved in the black market for tobacco products.
The investigation remains active, with police not ruling out further arrests as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the fire.
