A Melbourne cafe targeted in an alleged drive-by shooting only three days earlier has been extensively damaged in a suspicious overnight fire, prompting a fresh police investigation.
Emergency crews were called to the business on Mount Alexander Road in Essendon North at about 1am on Monday, July 13, after receiving reports that the premises were on fire. The blaze caused significant damage to the cafe and spread to the neighbouring post office.
Victoria Police confirmed that nobody was inside the cafe when the fire began, and no injuries were reported. Authorities established a crime scene around the damaged property, while an arson chemist was expected to examine the site to determine how the fire started.
Investigators were informed that a dark-coloured SUV had been seen leaving the area around the time of the blaze. Police are treating the fire as suspicious but have not publicly identified those responsible.
The incident occurred just three days after several shots were allegedly fired into the same business, Andy’s Place, during an early-morning drive-by attack on Friday, July 10.
Bullet holes from the earlier shooting remained visible in the cafe’s glass windows while firefighters worked to control Monday’s blaze. Although the two incidents occurred at the same location within a short period, authorities had not publicly confirmed the motive behind either attack or whether additional people were involved.
During the earlier incident, police officers on patrol allegedly witnessed multiple shots being fired into the cafe at approximately 2:45am. A stolen Toyota Kluger was then seen travelling away from the scene.
The police Air Wing tracked the vehicle through Keilor and into Taylors Lakes. Its occupants allegedly abandoned the SUV and ran into a property on Old Calder Highway, where members of the Critical Incident Response Team arrested two men, aged 18 and 20. Police said the vehicle had been stolen from Macleod on May 15.
ABC News subsequently reported that two men from Keilor Downs had been charged in connection with the alleged shooting. Investigations into both the gunfire and the later fire remain active.
Following the shooting, cafe owner Raymond Yacoub said he did not understand why his business had been targeted and suggested the attackers may have struck the wrong property. He said the cafe had not previously experienced serious problems with customers or other members of the community.
The two incidents have caused concern among nearby workers and residents, with the cafe and neighbouring businesses now facing substantial damage and an ongoing police presence.
Police have asked anyone who witnessed the suspicious fire, saw a dark-coloured SUV near Mount Alexander Road, or has information or footage relating to either incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
