Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad have today arrested a man as part of their investigation into a suspicious fire at a Richmond car dealership earlier this year.
A vehicle was used to smash into the Swan Street premises, near the intersection of Burnley Street, about 11.20pm on Thursday, 21 May.
Once inside, the offenders are alleged to have spread accelerant throughout the premises and on a $500,000 McLaren sports car parked within the business.
They then lit the accelerant and during this process, it's believed at least one of the males suffered serious burns.
The males then got back in their white SUV and headed south along Burnley Street and away from the scene.
Two cleaners were inside the business at the time of the incident, however luckily they were not phsyically injured.
The building sustained in excess of more than $1.5M damage as a result of the fire.
Detectives today arrested a 19-year-old man on Second Avenue in Melton South.
He will now be interviewed by detectives.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Inspector Chris Murray, Arson and Explosives Squad:
"This arrest once again demonstrates that if you put your hand up to take on these arson jobs, you are going to get caught. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when.
"It's also yet another example of offenders risking their losing their lives or sustaining serious injury for the best part of a couple hundred bucks.
"My advice to those thinking of taking out one of these jobs is think long and hard about your choices - these people tasking them out don't care about you."
