Western Australian police have alleged a 14-year-old boy was recruited by an organised crime network to carry out a firebombing on a Baldivis convenience store, as part of a violent dispute over the state's illicit tobacco trade.
Court Shown Dramatic CCTV of Alleged Attack
Prosecutors presented CCTV footage in Perth Children's Court on Tuesday, which they claim shows the teenager carrying out the attack on December 22. The video allegedly depicts a masked figure pouring litres of liquid from a red jerry can outside the Baldivis Convenience Store.
After walking through the spilled liquid, the person is seen crouching to ignite it, leaping back to narrowly avoid a massive fireball, and then fleeing the scene. The store was engulfed in flames within seconds.
Police Oppose Bail, Citing Syndicate Links and Risk
Prosecutor William Stokeley opposed bail for the teenager, arguing the attack "may have been organised through a crime network attempting to establish a foothold in WA." He stated the boy was "highly likely" to reconnect with the syndicate if released, which could lead to further attacks due to his age.
Mr Stokeley also raised concerns that both the boy and his family could be threatened to protect the criminal operation should he be granted bail.
Police allege the boy was driven to the shop by two adult men, who waited in a nearby car. They are accused of driving him away after he lit the fire. Two staff members were asleep inside the tobacconist when the fire started but were awoken by an alarm and managed to control the blaze.
Arrests, Evidence, and a Lengthy Criminal History
The 14-year-old was arrested eight days after the incident. Police say he was wearing the same Gant-branded jumper seen on the arsonist in the CCTV footage. Two adults have also been arrested and remain in custody.
Investigators will rely on additional evidence, including a Snapchat video allegedly filmed by one of the three co-accused as they drove to the store.
The boy's lawyer told the court his client "strongly denies it was him" in the video and claimed the jumper was given to him by a friend days before his arrest.
The court heard the teenager has a significant criminal history, including previous allegations of:
- Attempting to rob a man of his phone using an axe.
- Threatening to stab a 15-year-old to steal his Ralph Lauren jumper.
- Stealing a phone from another teenage boy.
Magistrate Sarah Dewsbury adjourned the bail application to January 16, allowing police more time to prepare their case against the teenager.
