Adass Israel synagogue firebombing – fresh lead
A stolen blue car may hold the key to solving several high-profile alleged crimes, including an alleged “politically motivated” synagogue firebombing and other arsons and shootings.
Almost six months on, authorities have released chilling CCTV footage and further information as part of a renewed push to identify the suspects and piece together the broader network behind the December 6 arson.
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), a partnership between Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, and ASIO, unveiled the surveillance video this week. It shows a stolen blue 2020 Volkswagen Golf circling the Ripponlea synagogue multiple times before stopping at the entrance shortly after 2 a.m. Three masked individuals, wearing hoodies, exit the vehicle. One uses an axe to smash the front doors, while the others pour accelerant from red jerry cans into the foyer.
The footage reveals the individuals making multiple trips back to the car to retrieve more fuel, before setting the building alight and fleeing toward Melbourne’s western suburbs. Two of the synagogue’s three buildings were gutted in the blaze. Inside at the time were two congregants preparing for morning prayers; both escaped, however, one suffered minor injuries.
One individual used an axe to smash the front doors of the synagogue while the others pour accelerant into the foyer of Adass Israel – Victoria Police
Police confirmed that the Volkswagen Golf, stolen from a driveway in Croydon in November, had cloned number plates and was used not only in the synagogue fire but also in the Lux nightclub arson in South Yarra on November 21 and a shooting and arson in Bundoora on the same night as the synagogue attack.
Authorities have indicated that the nightclub and Bundoora incidents are not considered politically motivated, in contrast to the synagogue attack. The investigation remains classified as a terrorism case, with Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt of the AFP reiterating that the suspects face potential life imprisonment.
“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,” Nutt said. “We believe there are multiple offenders directly and indirectly linked to the synagogue arson. Some are suspected of being extremely violent.”
Investigators have combed through CCTV from more than 1,400 locations across Melbourne to track the suspects’ movements and collect evidence. They are urging the public to help identify the individuals seen in the footage, or anyone who had access to the stolen Golf in late 2024. Police are also appealing for information on large fuel purchases, particularly five 20-litre red jerry cans or 100 litres of petrol, made around the time of the attacks.
Individuals taking accelerant out of the vehicle outside Adass Israel – Victoria Police
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said the vehicle was used as a “communal crime car,” passed between individuals for different criminal activities.
“There is no doubt that this blue VW Golf sedan is key,” Walsh said. “We need assistance from the public to identify who has been using this vehicle and what they’ve been involved in. Any small detail could be crucial.”
On Thursday, two men aged 22 and 23 from Pakenham were arrested in connection with the Lux nightclub fire, which caused more than $10 million in damage. Police have stressed that the arrests are not linked to the synagogue fire.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion responded to the developments by reaffirming the community’s concerns and the need for justice.
“The police have made it crystal clear that the dastardly firebombing of the Adass synagogue was an act of terrorism motivated by antisemitism,” Aghion said. “After more than five months, it is urgent that those accused of this crime be taken off our streets and put before a court. The newly released CCTV video is a shocking reminder of the danger they pose to the whole community.”
He also warned of the broader implications.
“The spate of antisemitic incidents that occurred last summer, and the proliferation of antisemitic rhetoric which preceded those events, took an enormous emotional toll on our community. We can all have a role to play in preventing this from becoming a new normal.”
The investigation remains a top priority for the JCTT. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au, or the National Security Hotline at 1800 123 400.
