Overview
- Richmond man John Argento, 47, was charged with six counts of arson along with theft, burglary and related offences, and he declared his innocence in court.
- He appeared via video in Melbourne Magistrates Court, was remanded in custody, and is due to return to court on Thursday.
- Police allege a car bearing a “Happy Chanukah” sign was set alight in a Balaclava Road driveway about 3am on 25 December, and a woman with three children evacuated without injury.
- Detectives have indicated the suspected attack was targeted and have identified no broader threat to the Jewish community.
- The arrest took place about 9am on Victoria Street in Richmond after a public appeal that named a person of interest, and community and political leaders condemned the incident as intimidating to visibly Jewish residents following the Bondi attack.