Australian police said on Thursday they have smashed a gang of rogue hairdressing-industry workers that staged a string of fire bombings aimed at a rival in Sydney’s hair-products supply market.
Police arrested three men in a series of raids late on Wednesday and charged them over 12 arson attacks on hair-product warehouses over the past six years that have caused damage estimated at Aus$80-million ($61,6-million).
The alleged ringleader, the owner of a hair-salon supply business who was arrested at a warehouse in Deadman’s Road in suburban Sydney, has also been charged with ordering an attack on a rival business operator.
The planned attack was foiled by police who staked out the intended victim’s warehouse last Friday and arrested another three men, one of whom fired shots at police before he was apprehended.
Another broke both legs when he jumped from a building in an attempt to escape police.
Detective Superintendent Ken McKay said the accused were part of a conspiracy to dominate Sydney’s lucrative hair-products market.
He said the gang intended at least to ”hospitalise” their rival and torch his business premises. — Sapa-AFP