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Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Properties raided in hunt for synagogue arsonists
Counter-terrorism police have raided multiple properties as investigations continue into the firebombing of a synagogue. State and federal officers executed search warrants in Melbourne's northern suburbs on Friday over the attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in the city's south on December 6. Two of the synagogue's three buildings were destroyed in the early-morning blaze, forcing members of the congregation to flee. Police issued a statement confirming the raids on Friday but said there were no further updates and the investigation remains ongoing. In May, terrorism investigators revealed they had linked a blue 2020 Volkswagen Golf sedan to the attack. The vehicle was seen driving past the synagogue multiple times before the firebombing. Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said the blue Golf was stolen in November and used in a Bundoora arson and shooting on the night of the synagogue attack, and in a separate arson at South Yarra's Lux nightclub in November. CCTV footage showed three masked individuals wearing hoodies exiting the car, then using an axe to smash through the synagogue's entrance before setting it alight. The alleged criminals were filmed returning to the car multiple times to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited. Yumi Friedman, founder of Yumi's Dips, told AAP at the time he preparing for morning prayer when the attack began. He was forced to flee after hearing a "big bang on the door with a sledgehammer", Mr Friedman said. Police have renewed their call for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward. "This investigation continues to be treated as a priority including the involvement of significant resources across all agencies," a police spokesperson said on Friday. CCTV from more than 1400 locations has been scoured by police who believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson.
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Blue car holds the key to solving synagogue firebombing
Mystery surrounds a stolen blue car crucial to solving several high profile violent attacks, including an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing and other arsons and shootings. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released images of the crooks believed to be behind the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan linked to other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire in the early hours of December 6, with police deeming it a likely a politically motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows the Golf sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the building. Vision shows the alleged criminals return to the car multiple times carrying red jerry cans containing 100 litres of petrol to pour inside the synagogue before the liquid is ignited. One offender wearing a distinctive white face mask films the arson on his phone, before the group flee towards the western suburbs after the synagogue goes up in flames. The blue Golf was stolen in November and used in serious and violent crimes, including arsons, shootings, aggravated burglaries and petrol drive-offs across Melbourne, Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said. "Police believe this car was used as ... a communal crime car and has been driven to a number of locations committing serious offences," she told reporters on Thursday. "It's possible the car was used by several different people and groups to commit these crimes." Investigators have combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Counter Terrorism Commissioner Stephen Nutt said. He warned those who have used the car to come forward or risk harsh penalties, including life behind bars. "Those individuals who have used that car could be forensically linked to a terrorist investigation," Mr Nutt said. Police allege the car was also at the scene of an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the night of the synagogue attack and at an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million damage. There was no evidence to suggest the arrested men were directly involved in the synagogue fire, Supt Walsh said. Investigators do not consider the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically motivated attacks. Police seized the car, which had cloned number plates, from a residential street in Melbourne's west in December. Supt Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle." Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the CCTV footage was a shocking reminder of the danger the criminals posed to the public and the enormous emotional toll on the Jewish community. Mystery surrounds a stolen blue car crucial to solving several high profile violent attacks, including an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing and other arsons and shootings. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released images of the crooks believed to be behind the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan linked to other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire in the early hours of December 6, with police deeming it a likely a politically motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows the Golf sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the building. Vision shows the alleged criminals return to the car multiple times carrying red jerry cans containing 100 litres of petrol to pour inside the synagogue before the liquid is ignited. One offender wearing a distinctive white face mask films the arson on his phone, before the group flee towards the western suburbs after the synagogue goes up in flames. The blue Golf was stolen in November and used in serious and violent crimes, including arsons, shootings, aggravated burglaries and petrol drive-offs across Melbourne, Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said. "Police believe this car was used as ... a communal crime car and has been driven to a number of locations committing serious offences," she told reporters on Thursday. "It's possible the car was used by several different people and groups to commit these crimes." Investigators have combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Counter Terrorism Commissioner Stephen Nutt said. He warned those who have used the car to come forward or risk harsh penalties, including life behind bars. "Those individuals who have used that car could be forensically linked to a terrorist investigation," Mr Nutt said. Police allege the car was also at the scene of an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the night of the synagogue attack and at an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million damage. There was no evidence to suggest the arrested men were directly involved in the synagogue fire, Supt Walsh said. Investigators do not consider the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically motivated attacks. Police seized the car, which had cloned number plates, from a residential street in Melbourne's west in December. Supt Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle." Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the CCTV footage was a shocking reminder of the danger the criminals posed to the public and the enormous emotional toll on the Jewish community. Mystery surrounds a stolen blue car crucial to solving several high profile violent attacks, including an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing and other arsons and shootings. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released images of the crooks believed to be behind the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan linked to other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire in the early hours of December 6, with police deeming it a likely a politically motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows the Golf sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the building. Vision shows the alleged criminals return to the car multiple times carrying red jerry cans containing 100 litres of petrol to pour inside the synagogue before the liquid is ignited. One offender wearing a distinctive white face mask films the arson on his phone, before the group flee towards the western suburbs after the synagogue goes up in flames. The blue Golf was stolen in November and used in serious and violent crimes, including arsons, shootings, aggravated burglaries and petrol drive-offs across Melbourne, Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said. "Police believe this car was used as ... a communal crime car and has been driven to a number of locations committing serious offences," she told reporters on Thursday. "It's possible the car was used by several different people and groups to commit these crimes." Investigators have combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Counter Terrorism Commissioner Stephen Nutt said. He warned those who have used the car to come forward or risk harsh penalties, including life behind bars. "Those individuals who have used that car could be forensically linked to a terrorist investigation," Mr Nutt said. Police allege the car was also at the scene of an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the night of the synagogue attack and at an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million damage. There was no evidence to suggest the arrested men were directly involved in the synagogue fire, Supt Walsh said. Investigators do not consider the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically motivated attacks. Police seized the car, which had cloned number plates, from a residential street in Melbourne's west in December. Supt Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle." Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the CCTV footage was a shocking reminder of the danger the criminals posed to the public and the enormous emotional toll on the Jewish community. Mystery surrounds a stolen blue car crucial to solving several high profile violent attacks, including an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing and other arsons and shootings. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released images of the crooks believed to be behind the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan linked to other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire in the early hours of December 6, with police deeming it a likely a politically motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows the Golf sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks get out of the vehicle and use an axe to damage the entrance of the building. Vision shows the alleged criminals return to the car multiple times carrying red jerry cans containing 100 litres of petrol to pour inside the synagogue before the liquid is ignited. One offender wearing a distinctive white face mask films the arson on his phone, before the group flee towards the western suburbs after the synagogue goes up in flames. The blue Golf was stolen in November and used in serious and violent crimes, including arsons, shootings, aggravated burglaries and petrol drive-offs across Melbourne, Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command's Tess Walsh said. "Police believe this car was used as ... a communal crime car and has been driven to a number of locations committing serious offences," she told reporters on Thursday. "It's possible the car was used by several different people and groups to commit these crimes." Investigators have combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Counter Terrorism Commissioner Stephen Nutt said. He warned those who have used the car to come forward or risk harsh penalties, including life behind bars. "Those individuals who have used that car could be forensically linked to a terrorist investigation," Mr Nutt said. Police allege the car was also at the scene of an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the night of the synagogue attack and at an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million damage. There was no evidence to suggest the arrested men were directly involved in the synagogue fire, Supt Walsh said. Investigators do not consider the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically motivated attacks. Police seized the car, which had cloned number plates, from a residential street in Melbourne's west in December. Supt Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle." Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the CCTV footage was a shocking reminder of the danger the criminals posed to the public and the enormous emotional toll on the Jewish community.
Perth Now
15-05-2025
- Perth Now
Fresh clue to solving synagogue firebombing attack
A stolen car used by criminals in an alleged "politically motivated" synagogue firebombing has been linked to two previous arsons and a shooting. Terrorism investigators on Thursday released a series of images of the crooks believed to be responsible for the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack in December and other serious crimes in Victoria. Two of the synagogue's three buildings in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in the fire that erupted in the early hours of December 6, deeming the arson a likely a politically-motivated attack. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers who escaped, with one suffering minor injuries. Photos and CCTV footage released by counter-terror police shows a blue Volkswagen Golf 2020 sedan driving past the synagogue multiple times before parking outside the main entrance. Three people donning hoodies and masks are seen getting out of the vehicle and using an axe to damage the entrance of the building before pouring at least two liquids from a red jerry can inside the entrance and enter the synagogue. Vision shows the alleged criminals returning to the car multiple times to get more jerry cans, which were poured inside the synagogue before the liquid was ignited. They fled after the synagogue went up in flames in the direction towards the western suburbs. Police allege the blue Golf is a stolen car which was used in an arson and shooting in Bundoora on the same night before the synagogue attack and an arson on the Lux nightclub in South Yarra in November. Arson detectives on Thursday arrested two Pakenham men, aged 22 and 23, over the suspicious nightclub fire which caused more than $10 million worth of damage. Police seized the car, which was stolen from a driveway in Croydon in November and had cloned number plates in 2024, and are not considering the Bundoora and South Yarra incidents politically-motivated attacks. Counter-terror officers collected and combed through CCTV from more than 1400 locations and believe multiple offenders are directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson, AFP Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Stephen Nutt said. "This is no normal crime and that is why it is being investigated by the JCTT with the full force and capability of Victoria Police, the AFP and ASIO," he said. He urged the "extremely violent" individuals to come forward. Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Command Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said the synagogue attack impacted Victorians' feeling of safety and left people feeling deeply shocked, saddened and concerned. "There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key," she said. "We need assistance from the public as we attempt to identify those who have been using this vehicle and what they have been involved in, and we know there are people out there who can supply this information."
