Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are searching for a suspected arsonist as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a suspicious car fire in St Kilda East
Police are searching for a man they believe could be connected to the firebombing, as both Australia and the world continue to reel from the recent shootings at Bondi Beach.
The antisemitic attack comes just over a week after the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where two alleged gunmen opened fire into crowds at a Chanukah celebration. Chanukah ended on December 22.
Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit detectives are searching for a suspected arsonist as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a suspicious car fire in St Kilda East yesterday morning.
Emergency services were called to reports a car had been set alight in the driveway of a property on Balaclava Road about 2.50am on Thursday, 25 December.
No one was inside the vehicle, which had a mobile billboard on the roof to celebrate Hanukkah, at the time of the incident. A woman and three children were evacuated from the house as a precaution. Following early investigations into the incident, detectives have identified a person who may be able to assist with their investigation.
Detectives are asking 47-year-old John Argento to contact Victoria Police.nArgento is known to police and has an outstanding arrest warrant relating to deception related offending.
Detectives believe Argento lives a transient lifestyle. He is known to frequent Melbourne’s inner southern and northern suburbs. An image of Argento is being released, and detectives urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of Argento to contact Crime Stoppers.
Argento is described as 185cm tall, has a thin build, blue eyes, grey hair, and a fair complexion.
Detectives are treating this arson as a targeted attack but there is no indication that Argento possess as a specific risk to the Jewish community.
In addition to the arson attack, investigators would like to speak with Argento regarding a car that was broken into some 20 minutes after the arson.Operation Trinity units, Public Order Response Team officers and Uniform members have searched overnight, but no arrests have been made.
Police are continuing to make enquiries into the arsonist’s whereabouts. The vehicle will be forensically analysed by an arson chemist. Officers will be patrolling the area and providing public reassurance.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert, Southern Metro Region said: “We understand the devastating impact this type of offence has on our Jewish community, and we are continuing to prioritise this investigation. We won’t fully understand the motives of this arsonist until we get them into custody.
“At this stage, we do not believe there is a broader threat to the Jewish community. We want to thank people in the area for their assistance in this investigation so far.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told The Mirror: “Australia’s Jewish community is in mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack. The firebombing of a car in Melbourne is another terrible act of suspected antisemitism. Federal authorities stand ready to assist.”
The Aussie PM added: “There is no place in Australia for this kind of hatred and it has to stop.”