Blue car holds the key to solving synagogue firebombing
William Ton |
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.
AAP
