<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dozens of firebombings and other targeted attacks have now been linked as Victoria Police grapple with an escalating crime spree.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said the escalation in crimes targeting businesses included firebombings, arsons, home invasions, kidnappings and shootings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said 34 incidents reported since April 9 had been linked.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-may-6-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/f734aa28-08d0-4969-92ed-dcad5d03ad31"><strong><span>Iran's chilling warning to key US strategic ally</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We've had a real escalation that we're addressing through Operation Eclipse," Bush said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have to get ahead of these crimes on behalf of the people of Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What we are determined to work out is what's the real motive behind these crimes.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-news-victoria-police-move-to-reassure-residents-caught-up-in-hospitality-war-crackdown/1b78e2f7-6938-400c-8209-ff93c613509b" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are a number of theories and at the moment they remain theories, although we have a body of evidence that might take us in a particular direction."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/kumanjayi-little-baby-three-child-protection-workers-stood-down/da4062fb-f190-4347-a5e6-74df49208dd6"><strong><span>Major development in tragic case of Kumanjayi Little Baby</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The illicit alcohol trade has been mentioned as a possible motive.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are also theories the group orchestrating the attacks is from overseas, potentially Iraq.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are asking the community to go about their business as normal and for businesses to route their CCTV back to police through the City of Melbourne.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police have arrested 35 people and about 145 charges have been laid so far.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Early this morning </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-car-dealership-owned-by-former-married-at-first-sight-contestant-firebombed/843f8a8d-f2b9-45d5-a3fd-27e40c740673" rel="" target="_blank" title="a car dealership was firebombed"><span>a car dealership was firebombed</span></a><span> in Port Melbourne days after opening.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bush said police had not determined whether the incident was linked.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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