CCTV footage has been released of three people bombing a complex of commercial units twice a week, in what police say were targeted incidents against a well-known influencer.
Queensland Police shared footage of three masked men setting fire to two businesses at Distribution Court in Arundel on the Gold Coast in June.
The first suspicious fire was on Saturday, June 24 around 3:30 am in the family business The Bento Buzz.
Eye Candy Motorsports, owned by influencer Troy ‘Candy’ Williams, was subsequently attacked at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28.
Mr. Williams owns several businesses and is known online for his flashy giveaways through the discounted subscription service, LMCT+.
Queensland Police have shared CCTV footage of three masked people setting fire to two businesses (pictured, the pair responsible for the Eye Candy Motorsports bombing)
CCTV footage of the fires shows a person, hidden by a black mask, jumping over a fence with a jerry can and a large hammer.
They then walked across the grounds to Unit 26, home of The Bento Buzz, and poured in an accelerator before lighting a match and running.
Arsonists returned to the grounds just four days later to attack Eye Candy Motorsports, Mr. Williams’ car wrap business.
Video shows a pair of masked thugs, one in a high-visibility uniform and the other in black, walking towards Unit 16.
They then used a ladder to climb the side of the unit before cutting a hole in the roof and pouring an accelerator into it.
Footage shows a dramatic burst of fire exploding from the roof.
Six vehicles, including a Rolls Royce, were reportedly in Eye Candy Motorsports at the time of the fire. One suffered minor damage.
Detective Acting Inspector Mark Proctor believes the incident was an “organized” and targeted attack.
One of the companies belonged to Troy ‘Candy’ Williams (pictured with partner Anita Cassin)
A pair of masked thugs climbed the roof of Eye Candy Motorsports and set it on fire (above) at 3:30 a.m. on June 28
“We think the first fire was an accident, they had the wrong unit and we think we came back better prepared the second time around,” he said.
“They did a lot more damage and we think the second unit is their intended target.
“The first attempt was pretty amateurish, the second was pretty organized – you can see in the footage the explosion it caused. It’s quite extensive, it’s quite a lot.
“Normally, when you talk about people targeting businesses, something is thrown through the windshield… This has taken a lot of effort to send a message or put the person at a financial disadvantage.”
Det Insp Proctor added that Mr Williams is ‘in the dark’ about who would attack him.
“Obviously it was some kind of payback or to cause some kind of financial damage. His business is ruined, it’s closed. It was uninsured,’ he said.
“He (Troy Candy) has been very cooperative with the police. He made statements and he basically did everything we asked of him.
“But he’s also in the dark.”
The owner of The Bento Buzz, Peta, is equally devastated by the fire at her store.
Lunchware company The Bento Buzz was targeted by a masked arsonist at about 3:30am on June 24 (above)
Peta, the owner of The Bento Buzz, said she couldn’t “stop crying” after her business burned down (pictured, The Bento Buzz warehouse fire)
“My heart is broken and I can’t stop crying,” she told her 42,000 followers.
“I have no other words for now, I have to wrap my head around this devastating turn of events.
“Thank you for supporting our family business over the past eight years.
“It meant everything to me.”
Queensland Police urged anyone with information about the people seen in the CCTV footage or the fires to contact Policelink on 131 444.