Arson attack destroys home owned by gangland boss’ sister
Updated ,first published
The Essendon home of gang boss Rocco Arico’s sister has been “completely destroyed” in what police are calling a suspected arson attack.
Emergency services were called to the house on Fitzgerald Road at around 2.50am on Monday after numerous reports of the house being engulfed in flames.
Fire Rescue Victoria crews contained the fire to the rear of the house where the roof had collapsed, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby properties. The fire was brought under control in half an hour.
Police have since established a crime scene and fire investigators will determine the exact cause of the fire later Monday.
“At this stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious,” police said in a statement. “The investigation is ongoing.”
According to land registry records, the house, which police said was vacant at the time of the fire, is owned by Arico’s sister, Antonella Misale. It is unclear whether he lives at the facility in question.
Born in the Calabria region of Italy, Arico had family ties to senior members of the ‘Ndrangheta (or Honorable Society), considered one of the most powerful mafia groups in the country.
His wealth and power stemmed, sources said, from a dominant position in Melbourne’s drug trade and a frightening reputation for violence.
Arico was convicted of extortion, causing injury with intent and drug trafficking in 2016, and was later found guilty of other weapons and drug charges.
His prison sentence for drug trafficking has since ended and he is currently in immigration detention, preparing for deportation to Italy and awaiting the outcome of his appeal against his original convictions.
Arico is appealing the conviction on the grounds that his former attorney, slain mob lawyer Joseph “Pino” Acquaro, may have contaminated the investigation by working as a police informant.
While police officers, detectives and firefighters remained at the house throughout the morning, the arson chemists were also called to the scene.
There’s a ‘for rent’ sign in the front yard and Age He learned that the property will be rented to new tenants in the coming days. Calls to the real estate agent went unanswered.
A woman who has lived in the area for 45 years said she was concerned about the dramatic increase in violent crime in the area, especially in the last few months.
“It used to be a really quiet place. Now you worry when you leave the house.”
While the front part of the house escaped unscathed, the back part is in ruins. Burnt beams can be seen hanging from the roof ruins.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said frequent firebomb attacks were causing great concern in the community.
“Victoria Police is doing all it can to both respond to these incidents and carry out in-depth investigative work to find out what and who is behind these attacks,” he told ABC radio. “This is being carried out by an element of gutless thugs and exploited youth.”
He said the government was increasing prison sentences for offenders who involve young people in crime, as well as tightening bail laws and introducing adult terms for violent crimes for young offenders.
Misale has been contacted for comment.
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