Stan Zanakas has pleaded guilty after accepting a sentence indication on two charges of arson and aggravated robbery in connection with a series of firebombings across Victoria.
According to the Herald Sun, the Templestowe man was involved in the deliberate destruction of multiple businesses, including a Moe gift shop and a Croydon tobacco store on Christmas Day 2023. While his co-accused, Ben Valerio, carried out the arson, Zanakas acted as a lookout.
Valerio, the brother of toddler Daniel Valerio, who was tragically killed in 1990, was sentenced to a minimum of four years and four months in prison for his role in the attacks.
A third offender, Finks bikie Murat Shomshe, previously pleaded guilty to similar offences. Judge Peter Lauritsen stated that the crimes were committed for financial gain, with Valerio using the payments to fund his drug habit.
Zanakas will return to court for a plea hearing on March 31.
Source: Herald Sun
