Teenagers charged in Melbourne nightclub arson attacks | 9 News Australia

Melbourne is currently facing a volatile wave of coordinated violence linked to the city's unfolding "bar wars." In a major breakthrough, Victoria Police have arrested and charged three teenagers following a string of targeted firebombings and tactical arson attacks on prominent inner-city entertainment venues. The dramatic police sweep began at the Highpoint Shopping Center, where heavily armed tactical officers arrested a 17-year-old youth who was allegedly armed with a machete. Following this breakthrough, two 18-year-old suspects from Truganina were also taken into custody as part of Operation Eclipse—a specialized taskforce dedicated to investigating conflicts between rival syndicate operations. The teenagers face serious criminal charges filed overnight, including burglary and criminal damage by fire. Police allege that the group is directly responsible for multiple firebombings at the famous Ladida nightclub on King Street. During one of these chaotic attacks, one of the perpetrators shockingly managed to set himself alight while handling accelerants. The group has also been linked to an attempted arson attack at the Electric Bar on Chapel Street. In a bizarre twist of events, a children’s court later heard that a 16-year-old co-accused—implicated in the firebombing of Bar Bambi—actually phoned his mother directly from police lockup, asking her if she could collect the $20,000 reward money posted for his own arrest. Today Melbourne Reporter Christine Ahern brings you the latest breaking updates, closed-circuit television footage, and court details regarding these dramatic crime syndicate raids. | *Subscribe and ?: http://9Soci.al/KM6e50GjSK9* *Get more breaking news at 9News.com.au: http://9Soci.al/iyCO50GjSK6* FOLLOW 9News Australia ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9News/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9news/ Join 9News for the latest in news and events that affect you in your local city, as well as news from across Australia and the world. #9News #BreakingNews #NineNewsAustralia #9NewsAU