Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad today arrested two people as part of their investigation into a suspicious fire at a South Yarra nightclub in November last year.
Warrants were executed by police from 6am this morning at three residential properties in Pakenham.
A 22-year-old Pakenham man and a 21-year-old Pakenham man were arrested and will now be interviewed by detectives.
Today's arrests follow a fire at the Chapel Street venue on Thursday, 21 November 2024..
It's believed at least four men attended the Chapel Street venue shortly before 1.50am that morning..
They then forced their way into the premises and then used accelerant to set it alight, before leaving the area in the blue VW Golf sedan.
It appears at least one of the people involved sustained burn injuries as a result of lighting the fire, however no one else was injured as a result of the fire.
The resulting fire was significant and caused over $10 million dollars worth of damage.
Firefighters attended and the blaze was deemed under control about 3.30am.
Police are continuing treating the fire as suspicious and believe it was a targeted attack, however the exact motivation for the arson remains unclear.
Investigators have been through thousands of hours of CCTV in an effort to trace the blue VW sedan in particular.
They believe the vehicle was initially stolen from the driveway of a property in Croydon on 12 November last year.
Since then, it's believed this vehicle was involved in a number of other incidents across Melbourne including several aggravated burglaries and petrol drive offs in Brunswick, Cranbourne North, Caulfield South and Hampton.
Arson and Explosives Squad detectives are also actively investigating a drive-by shooting and arson that occurred on Boadle Rd, Bundoora on 6 December, 2024 in which the same blue VW golf sedan was used.
Emergency services were called to the street about 1am after a vehicle was set alight and a number of shots were fired into a residential address.
No one was injured during the incident.
Police also believe that same vehicle was then seen several hours later in the vicinity of the synagogue fire in Ripponlea, also on 6 December.
There is nothing at all to indicate that the men arrested today were directly involved in the synagogue fire, or that the fire at Lux nightclub was a political attack.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this vehicle or are aware of it being involved in any incidents across Melbourne since it was stolen last November.
Investigators are also keen to speak to anyone with knowledge of anyone using the vehicle, which is believed to have been displaying false numberplates.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
