Victoria police have named a man they wish to interview in connection with a suspected arson attack on a car displaying a “Happy Chanukah” sign in Melbourne on Christmas Day. Emergency services were called to a vehicle set alight in the driveway of a home in St Kilda East at about 2.50am on Thursday.
On Friday, police identified 47-year-old John Argento as a person who may be able to assist with the investigation. Argento is known to police and has an outstanding arrest warrant relating to other matters. Detectives believe he lives a transient lifestyle and is known to frequent Melbourne’s inner southern and northern suburbs.
Police said there was no indication that Argento poses a specific risk to the Jewish community, but they are treating the arson as a targeted attack. Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert stated that he did not believe there was a broader threat to the Jewish community, adding: “We understand the devastating impact this type of offence has on our Jewish community and we are continuing to prioritise this investigation.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said on Thursday she had been briefed by police, describing the incident as not what any family or community deserves to wake up to on Christmas Day. She vowed to work long-term to drive anti-Semitism and hate out of the state. The incident comes less than two weeks after a mass shooting targeting Jews in Sydney’s Bondi.
State Liberal MP David Southwick, who represents the area, called on Victoria to follow New South Wales in recalling parliament to pass legislation restricting protests and strengthening vilification laws. Southwick said: “Every day delayed puts the Jewish community and broader Victorian community at risk.”
