Latest news with #VictoriaPolice
9 News
11 minutes ago
- 9 News
Arrest made in relation to Adass Israel Synagogue fire
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A 21-year-old Werribee man is expected to be questioned by police today after he was arrested by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism team. Police will allege the man was one of three individuals who broke into the Ripponlea Synagogue and started the fire on December 6. The Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne's south-east was left gutted after a suspicious blaze in December, leaving the Jewish community in deep shock. (Nine) The synagogue, in Melbourne's south-east, was left gutted by the blaze in an attack that deeply rocked the local Jewish community. It's understood the man could face charges including arson, conduct endangering life and theft of a motor vehicle. Further arrests and charges are expected soon, police said. Alongside the arrest, detectives today executed seven search warrants in Point Cook, Toorak, Airport West, Hadfield, Werribee, Weir Views, and Coburg. Various items, including electronic devices, were seized. On July 16 police charged another man over allegedly stealing a car which is alleged to have been used to drive to the synagogue on the night of the fire. The offence of arson carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' jail, while theft of a motor vehicle and conduct endangering life both carry a maximum 10-year sentence. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam said assistance from the public had been "absolutely crucial" in the investigation. "We know there are people out there with information that will progress this investigation – whether that is people we have already spoken to or others who are yet to come forward," Steendam said. "Again, I appeal for those people to contact police. If you have any details at all about those involved and their motivation, then we want to hear from you. "Even the smallest detail or piece of information could prove crucial." Anthony Albanese visited the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea after it was destroyed in a firebomb terrorist attack in December 2024. (Justin McManus) AFP Deputy Commissioner National Security Krissy Barrett said the investigation, which is being treated as a "politically-motivated crime", remains a top priority for all agencies involved. "We will not let this go unpunished in Australia. And that's why we have responded with relentless determination to pursue those responsible and hold them to account. "This crime was despicable as it was dangerous, and it is important to acknowledge that this was not just an arson on a synagogue. "The effect of this crime has rippled through a community that continues to be targeted by criminals. "We will not stand for this, and I want to reassure the public that this is not just a priority investigation for the JCTT, but also for the AFP." Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is urged to contact investigators. Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox. Melbourne national Australia Victoria fires CONTACT US
Perth Now
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Second state moves to outlaw private bail monitoring
Private firms will be banned from providing electronic monitoring of bailed accused offenders after authorities in two states were left red faced. Victoria has followed NSW with legislation to outlaw decision-makers from setting private electronic monitoring as a condition of bail. Magistrates and judges can currently require offenders wear GPS trackers and pay providers for the service. It led to a crisis when BailSafe Australia shut down in January without telling police and justice authorities in both states, leaving dozens of offenders in Victoria and NSW unmonitored. "They didn't tell anyone across the justice system, the courts or Victoria Police - and that's just absolutely unacceptable," Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters on Wednesday. "When that happened I was determined that we would ... stamp the use of private companies." Ankle monitoring is typically reserved for offenders accused of serious crimes, with more cashed-up individuals offering to hire private firms to increase their prospects of being granted bail. Some Supreme Court judges have criticised the practice for indirectly discriminating against poorer accused offenders. The legislation brings Victoria into line with NSW after its parliament passed a ban in May that included a three-month transition period. Several different private firms were involved in the monitoring of under 120 people on bail in NSW before its ban came into effect. A Victorian review after the BailSafe debacle found private services were monitoring 14 offenders in the southern state. Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said only one private bail monitoring company continued operating in the state. The ban is part of the state government's second package of bail reforms and won't impact a state trial of electronic monitoring for repeat alleged youth offenders. It will take effect once the legislation passes parliament and receives royal assent. The latest round of bail reforms feature a new test for people accused of repeat, serious offending and a "second strike" rule for those charged with further offending. Mr Battin said Victoria's bail system was broken and scoffed at the government's claim the changes would make Victoria's bail laws the "toughest" in the nation. "Crime in Victoria is out of control," he said. Victoria tightened bail laws in 2018 after James Gargasoulas drove into Melbourne's busy Bourke Street Mall in 2017 while on bail, killing six people and injuring dozens more. An inquest into the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in 2020 found the changes were a "complete and unmitigated disaster", sparking a relaxation of laws in 2024. Statistics from the year to the end of March showed offences jumped by more than 15 per cent when adjusted for population, with youth crime hitting its highest point on record.
The Advertiser
14 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Rego rort': cars without brakes or airbags issued 'fraudulent pink slips'
Fraudulent pink slips have allegedly been issued to cars with major safety defects in a false documentation scheme at a dealership. Police have charged three men, aged 39, 40 and 42, who worked at the Castle Hill car dealership in Sydney's northwest over their involvement in the scheme. Police believe that 22 fraudulent safety inspection reports were issued by the men between January and May 2025. Two heavily modified cars sparked the investigation after police discovered a Nissan 200SX sedan and a Nissan 180SX sedan had been issued pink slips despite dangerous defects. The cars allegedly had no airbags, anti-locking brakes had been removed, and their suspension did not meet minimum safety standards. Police said the cars also had "dangerous frontal protrusions". "Inquiries revealed the two cars were allegedly granted 'pink slips' following safety inspections conducted by a Castle Hill dealership in April 2025," Victoria Police said. The three dealership employees were charged with knowingly producing false or misleading documents and breaching conditions of examiners' authority. The 40-year-old and and 42-year-old were also charged with issuing a false or misleading inspection report. The men were expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 30. Fraudulent pink slips have allegedly been issued to cars with major safety defects in a false documentation scheme at a dealership. Police have charged three men, aged 39, 40 and 42, who worked at the Castle Hill car dealership in Sydney's northwest over their involvement in the scheme. Police believe that 22 fraudulent safety inspection reports were issued by the men between January and May 2025. Two heavily modified cars sparked the investigation after police discovered a Nissan 200SX sedan and a Nissan 180SX sedan had been issued pink slips despite dangerous defects. The cars allegedly had no airbags, anti-locking brakes had been removed, and their suspension did not meet minimum safety standards. Police said the cars also had "dangerous frontal protrusions". "Inquiries revealed the two cars were allegedly granted 'pink slips' following safety inspections conducted by a Castle Hill dealership in April 2025," Victoria Police said. The three dealership employees were charged with knowingly producing false or misleading documents and breaching conditions of examiners' authority. The 40-year-old and and 42-year-old were also charged with issuing a false or misleading inspection report. The men were expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 30. Fraudulent pink slips have allegedly been issued to cars with major safety defects in a false documentation scheme at a dealership. Police have charged three men, aged 39, 40 and 42, who worked at the Castle Hill car dealership in Sydney's northwest over their involvement in the scheme. Police believe that 22 fraudulent safety inspection reports were issued by the men between January and May 2025. Two heavily modified cars sparked the investigation after police discovered a Nissan 200SX sedan and a Nissan 180SX sedan had been issued pink slips despite dangerous defects. The cars allegedly had no airbags, anti-locking brakes had been removed, and their suspension did not meet minimum safety standards. Police said the cars also had "dangerous frontal protrusions". "Inquiries revealed the two cars were allegedly granted 'pink slips' following safety inspections conducted by a Castle Hill dealership in April 2025," Victoria Police said. The three dealership employees were charged with knowingly producing false or misleading documents and breaching conditions of examiners' authority. The 40-year-old and and 42-year-old were also charged with issuing a false or misleading inspection report. The men were expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 30. Fraudulent pink slips have allegedly been issued to cars with major safety defects in a false documentation scheme at a dealership. Police have charged three men, aged 39, 40 and 42, who worked at the Castle Hill car dealership in Sydney's northwest over their involvement in the scheme. Police believe that 22 fraudulent safety inspection reports were issued by the men between January and May 2025. Two heavily modified cars sparked the investigation after police discovered a Nissan 200SX sedan and a Nissan 180SX sedan had been issued pink slips despite dangerous defects. The cars allegedly had no airbags, anti-locking brakes had been removed, and their suspension did not meet minimum safety standards. Police said the cars also had "dangerous frontal protrusions". "Inquiries revealed the two cars were allegedly granted 'pink slips' following safety inspections conducted by a Castle Hill dealership in April 2025," Victoria Police said. The three dealership employees were charged with knowingly producing false or misleading documents and breaching conditions of examiners' authority. The 40-year-old and and 42-year-old were also charged with issuing a false or misleading inspection report. The men were expected to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 30.
Sydney Morning Herald
44 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Adass Israel synagogue firebombing arrest
Police have arrested a second man over his alleged role in the Adass Israel synagogue fire. Details, including if any charges have been laid, are yet to be released but Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam and AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett will hold a press conference at 1pm. A Joint Counter-Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation has been ongoing since the firebombing in Ripponlea on December 6, 2024. This masthead revealed earlier this month that it had so far only been able to identify low-level suspects allegedly responsible for setting the fire, who were suspected as acting as street gang members for hire, with no known political or ideological affiliations. A 20-year-old Williamstown man was charged earlier this month over his alleged role in the theft of a blue Volkswagen Golf, which was allegedly used by those involved in the arson. The man faces charges including theft of a motor vehicle and failing to comply with an order to provide access to apps on his mobile phone.
The Age
44 minutes ago
- The Age
Adass Israel synagogue firebombing arrest
Police have arrested a second man over his alleged role in the Adass Israel synagogue fire. Details, including if any charges have been laid, are yet to be released but Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam and AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett will hold a press conference at 1pm. A Joint Counter-Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigation has been ongoing since the firebombing in Ripponlea on December 6, 2024. This masthead revealed earlier this month that it had so far only been able to identify low-level suspects allegedly responsible for setting the fire, who were suspected as acting as street gang members for hire, with no known political or ideological affiliations. A 20-year-old Williamstown man was charged earlier this month over his alleged role in the theft of a blue Volkswagen Golf, which was allegedly used by those involved in the arson. The man faces charges including theft of a motor vehicle and failing to comply with an order to provide access to apps on his mobile phone.
