A Williamstown man has been charged over his alleged role in the theft of the blue VW Golf, which was later used by those involved in the Adass Israel Synagogue arson attack and other serious crimes in Victoria.
Police from the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT), which includes Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO, arrested the 20-year-old at the Nelson Heights public housing estate in Williamstown on Wednesday afternoon.
Footage released by police shows plain clothed officers wearing face coverings, bullet-proof vests and carrying firearms arresting the man shortly after 2pm on July 16.
Pasco Street, between Aitken Street and Nelson Place was blocked off during the operation.
Police later executed a search warrant at a home in Melton South and seized items related to the investigation.
The man has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and failing to comply with an order under section 3LA of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) to provide access to applications on his mobile telephone.
He was bailed under strict conditions to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, October 3.
Police will allege that the man stole the blue 2020-model VW Golf sedan in Melton on November 29, 2024.
As well as the arson attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6, the stolen Golf was also used in an arson and shooting that occurred in Bundoora on the same night and the Lux nightclub arson at South Yarra in November last year.
The nightclub fire and shooting are being investigated by Victoria Police and are not considered politically-motivated attacks.
However, the attack on the Ripponlea synagogue is being treated as politically motivated and remains a terrorism investigation.
Anyone with information relating to the Adass Israel Synagogue attack is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
A confidential report can also be made to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
