Police have apprehended two men at the scene of a burning building owned by millionaire entrepreneur David “Hollywood” Deicke. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, marking the latest in a series of firebombings targeting Deicke’s businesses. This arrest follows a previous attack just a day earlier on Deicke’s Elwood-based smash repairs business.
Officers on patrol in the Laverton area discovered the fire at the Melbourne Collision Repair Centre on Triholm Avenue around 3:40 a.m. Two men were detained at the scene, with one requiring hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries under police guard. The other individual is expected to be questioned by detectives as investigations continue.
Series of Suspicious Fires
Approximately an hour after the Laverton fire, emergency services were called to another blaze at AutoSport Prestige, a luxury car dealership located on Taunton Drive in Cheltenham. Firefighters arrived to find the business engulfed in flames, with significant damage to most of the 90 high-end vehicles inside. It took a team of 70 firefighters nearly two hours to control the fire, which had spread to an adjacent building. Authorities are treating this fire as suspicious, and an investigation is underway.
The connection between the two fires on Friday morning remains unclear, but both incidents are under scrutiny due to their suspicious nature. This wave of arson attacks underscores a troubling pattern of targeted aggression against businesses linked to Deicke.
Background of the Attacks
The recent firebombing at the Laverton site follows a similar attack on Deicke’s Elwood business just 24 hours earlier. Fire crews managed to control the Elwood blaze within 40 minutes, but police suspect that a vehicle was used to gain entry before the perpetrators fled. This fire, like the others, is being treated as suspicious.
Interestingly, the Elwood business had recently ceased operations, and several luxury vehicles, including a rare collectible Mercedes, were removed about a week before the attack. These incidents occur amid allegations reported by The Age that Deicke is embroiled in an extortion plot orchestrated by a leader of an outlaw motorcycle gang. The gang is suspected of ordering the July firebombings of two smash repair businesses under Deicke’s control.
“The Age also revealed a notorious Melbourne bikie threatened to burn down Deicke’s $10 million Brighton mansion if he refuses to pay.”
Historical Context and Ongoing Investigations
On July 30, a fire ignited by a torched car spread to Deicke’s Melbourne Collision Repair Centre’s Mentone site. Around the same period, multiple vehicles were set ablaze at the same Laverton business targeted in the latest attack. Witnesses reported seeing a group of men smashing car windows before setting them on fire, with one arsonist accidentally setting himself ablaze.
The Laverton business was also the target of a drive-by shooting on July 18. All three Melbourne Smash Repairs sites—Laverton, Elwood, and Mentone—have now been the focus of suspicious fires, raising concerns about the safety and security of these locations.
Earlier this year, The Age reported Deicke’s alleged connections to the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang. Despite these claims, Deicke has denied ownership of the smash repairs businesses, which are reportedly registered to his long-term partner, Belinda Pitts, according to records from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Implications and Forward-Looking Analysis
The arrest of the two men at the Laverton site could provide crucial insights into the ongoing investigation, potentially unraveling the network behind these coordinated attacks. The involvement of organized crime elements, as suggested by the extortion plot, adds a layer of complexity to the case, highlighting the need for a comprehensive law enforcement response.
As the investigations proceed, the focus will likely remain on ensuring the safety of Deicke’s properties and preventing further attacks. The presence of a mobile police unit near Deicke’s Brighton home indicates heightened security measures in response to the threats.
Moving forward, the outcomes of these investigations could have significant implications for business owners in the area, particularly those with high-value assets. The situation underscores the importance of robust security measures and the need for vigilance against organized crime activities.
