Second teen arrested following antisemitic ute attack on Jewish boys in East St Kilda
On Friday, Victoria Police arrested a second teenage boy in connection with an antisemitic incident in which Jewish schoolboys were chased by a white ute in St Kilda East.
Police said detectives from the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit arrested a 16-year-old boy in Melton overnight. He was interviewed over the alleged incident on Glen Eira Road on January 19 at about 9.50pm.
The white ute on the right narrowly misses one of the boys. (Facebook)
The boy, who is from the Knox area, was also interviewed in relation to an aggravated burglary in Ormond on January 13 and a motor vehicle theft in Caulfield on January 10. He has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and multiple driving offences, and has been remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
A 15-year-old boy from the Yarra Ranges was arrested on January 21 and charged with theft of a motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
The arrests follow reports that a group of Jewish teenage boys were chased by a white ute while being subjected to antisemitic abuse, including shouted Nazi slogans. The boys were wearing identifiable Jewish clothing and had been walking home near Jewish schools and synagogues in St Kilda East.
CCTV footage shows the ute stopping near the group before making a sudden turn and following the boys for several minutes. One of the teenagers was nearly struck as they ran to safety. No physical injuries were reported. Nazi salutes and symbols are illegal in Victoria.
The white ute passing the boys
Parents said the boys were badly shaken and reluctant to return to school, struggling to understand why they had been targeted. One father said the use of Nazi gestures was particularly distressing for families in a community where many are descendants of Holocaust survivors.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said the arrests were an important step but warned the emotional impact on children and families was already significant, with repeated acts of intimidation creating fear in everyday life.
The Victorian Jewish Board of Deputies said the incident again highlighted the vulnerability of visibly Jewish children and renewed calls for increased protection around schools and places of worship.
Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the incident as hateful and unacceptable and said authorities would pursue all available options to hold those responsible to account.
Police said investigations into the antisemitic behaviour are ongoing and urged anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area at the time to contact Crime Stoppers.
The incident comes amid heightened concern about antisemitism in Australia following a series of serious threats and attacks targeting Jewish communities.
