By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
CCTV FOOTAGE has been released in relation to the arson of the Churchill Hotel, which saw the local pub destroyed last May.
The Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit are seeking information from the public to help identify the two offenders who broke into the licensed premises just before 5am on Tuesday, May 13.
They poured accelerant and deliberately set the building alight before fleeing the scene.
While the identities of the two offenders are concealed in the CCTV footage, detectives believe the offenders are male, aged in their 20s or 30s.
The first man is described as wearing a light-coloured hooded top, dark-coloured track pants, dark-coloured runners and black gloves.
The second man is described as wearing a light-coloured hooded top, dark-coloured track pants, dark-coloured runners, black gloves, and was carrying a light-coloured satchel.
Police have released the CCTV footage of the two men who they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
“We’ve got CCTV footage of these two offenders … at this point, Victoria Police are turning to the public hoping to get some assistance in identifying these two offenders, or any information at all that can help us and point us in the right direction for our investigation,” First Constable of Police at the Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit, Marlyn Staunton said.
A motive is unknown at this stage, only that the incident was deliberate.
“It’s clear to us that they deliberately set it alight and that (it was) pre-planned,” First Constable Staunton added.
The incident it also not believed to be linked to any prior suspicious incident in the area or surrounding.
Detectives haven’t worked out whether the offenders are local vandals or not.
“We’re not ruling out any possibilities at this point. We’re keeping our scope in the investigation wide, and we don’t want to get tunnel vision, but at this point, we don’t know if the offenders are local or if they’re from outside the area,” he said.
While no vehicle was identified in the CCTV footage, an anonymous witness told the Express when the incident first took place that they allegedly saw a black hatchback coming out near the Churchill Hotel and down Phillip Parade. Not long after, they started to see flames coming from the establishment.
“It makes sense that they could have arrived in a vehicle, but we can’t actually see any of that, so at this point, we have no details of a vehicle,” First Constable Staunton said.
“If the public do recognise (anyone in the footage), please contact Crime Stoppers and submit a report.
“The poor victim, it’s ruined his livelihood, and it’s upset the town of Churchill as a whole.
“If I had anything to say to them (the offenders), it’s just to do the right thing, we’ve got footage, hopefully somebody knows something, do the right thing, hand yourself in, and we can go from there.”
The arson saw the building destroyed in its entirety, and demolition of the Churchill Hotel began last week.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV/dashcam footage or information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at: www.crimestoppersvic.edu.au
