{"id":31621,"date":"2025-07-30T04:26:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T04:26:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/31621\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T04:26:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T04:26:11","slug":"man-arrested-over-fire-that-destroyed-adass-israel-synagogue-of-melbourne-last-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/31621\/","title":{"rendered":"Man arrested over fire that destroyed Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne last year"},"content":{"rendered":"

A man has been arrested for his alleged role in last year’s arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne.<\/p>\n

The Werribee man, 21, will be interviewed in relation to offences of arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle, police said.<\/p>\n

Authorities will allege the man is one of three individuals who broke into the synagogue in Ripponlea in the city’s south-east and set the fire in the early hours of December 6.<\/p>\n

The blaze ripped through the synagogue, forcing several people to flee to safety through a back door and destroying the building.<\/p>\n

Loading…<\/p>\n

The arrest comes after a Williamstown man, 20, was charged earlier this month for allegedly stealing a car which was then used to drive to the synagogue on December 6.<\/p>\n

In May, authorities released CCTV footage of three people getting out of an alleged stolen VW Golf, with two seen pouring the contents of several jerry cans into the synagogue and setting the liquid alight.<\/p>\n

Police probe overseas links to crime<\/p>\n

The investigation has been carried out by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), which includes Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police and Australia’s security agency ASIO.<\/p>\n

The JCTT is treating the arson as politically motivated and said further arrests and charges were expected soon.<\/p>\n

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the “complex” investigation had extended overseas.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Fire crews brought the blaze under control within half an hour. (ABC News)<\/p>\n

“Our investigation is not limited to Australia. It involves exploring criminals offshore, and we suspect these criminals worked with criminal associates in Victoria to carry out the arson attack.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘The motivation is still being assessed and we will make further comments at an appropriate time about that.”<\/p>\n

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said there were no links between the Adass Israel Synagogue attack and an alleged arson at an East Melbourne synagogue earlier this month.<\/a><\/p>\n

Search warrants across Melbourne<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, authorities also executed seven search warrants at residential properties in Melbourne’s west and north, seizing various items, including electronic devices, which will be forensically examined.<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said an AFP member was recovering in hospital after being attacked by an unrestrained dog while executing a warrant at Weirs View in Melbourne’s west.<\/p>\n

“A police firearm was used to stop the attack and the dog was later euthanised at a veterinary clinic,” she said.<\/p>\n

She said this is where the 21-year-old Werribee man was arrested.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

CCTV shows two men pouring the contents of several jerry cans into the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne’s south-east. (Supplied: AFP\/Victoria Police)<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Steendam appealed to anyone in the community with information to come forward.<\/p>\n

“There is no doubt that this fire was a deliberate act that left people across Victoria and the Victorian community feeling shocked, saddened and rightfully concerned,” she said.<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Steendam said authorities were keen to get information on the car used to allegedly transport the individuals involved to the synagogue, which she said has been used as “a communal crime car”.<\/p>\n

She thanked the Jewish community across Australia and the Adass Israel Synagoguge congregation for their “stoicism, patience and support”.<\/p>\n

Look back at key information from a police press conference about the 21-year-old’s arrest.<\/p>\n

17m agoWed 30 Jul 2025 at 4:08am<\/p>\n

We’ll leave our coverage here<\/p>\n

This is where we’ll finish our live coverage of December’s arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne.<\/p>\n

21m agoWed 30 Jul 2025 at 4:04am<\/p>\n

AFP member in hospital<\/p>\n

Deputy Commissioner Barrett says a member of the federal police force is recovering in hospital after they were attacked by an unretsrained dog while executing one of the warrants today.<\/p>\n

“A police firearm was used to stop the attack and the dog was later euthanised at a veterinary clinic,” she says.<\/p>\n

28m agoWed 30 Jul 2025 at 3:57am<\/p>\n

International investigation<\/p>\n

The police officer says she is now able to share some “limited detail” about how the crime was orchestrated, as well as why the investigation was so long and complicated.<\/p>\n

“Our investigation is not limited to Australia,” she says.<\/p>\n

“It involves exploring criminals offshore, and we suspect these criminals worked with criminal associates in Victoria to carry out the arson attack.”<\/p>\n

She says the motivation for the attack is still being assessed.<\/p>\n

“We are also working closely with our Five Eyes partners and international partners to ensure our collective powers and capabililties are drawn upon.”<\/p>\n

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