Trio charged over QVM ATM explosion

Three men from Melbourne’s inner north will appear in court next month charged with blowing up an ATM machine at the Queen Victoria Market in May and stealing around $5000.

The trio allegedly caused an explosion to gain access to the ATM on Victoria St at about 2.45am on May 13.

Police said their homemade device had ignited in the face of one of the alleged offenders, 45-year-old Adam Park, from Fitzroy, who was left with serious, life-changing injuries.

Mr Park appeared in court on June 5 charged with a suite of offences relating to the incident, including cause explosion likely to cause serious injury to property, theft, reckless conduct endangering life and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

When detectives from the arson and explosives squad arrested him on June 3 he had also been charged with burglary and theft in relation to the alleged burglary of a Heidelberg West educational facility on May 10 and producing an intimate image, which was found on his mobile phone.

A 40-year-old from Brunswick West and a 40-year-old from Brunswick who were charged on June 1 and May 29, respectively, were remanded in custody.

The Brunswick West accused faces charges of theft, use explosive and conduct endangering life while the Brunswick man is facing more than 20 charges, including cause explosion likely to cause serious injury to property, reckless conduct endangering life, drive in a manner dangerous, theft of motor vehicle and evade police.

All three accused are due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on August 24.

Police said there was no evidence to suggest the incident was linked to the spree of nightclub firebombings being investigated by Operation Eclipse.

They appealed to anyone with information on illicit activity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report at crimestoppersvic.com.au •