Melbourne, December 26, 2025 02:54:00 –
Victoria Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle displaying a “Happy Chanukah” sign in St Kilda East adn have named a person they wish to interview in connection with the incident.
- Victoria Police are treating the arson as a targeted attack.
- John Argento, 47, is being sought for questioning in relation to the incident.
- Police state there is no current indication Argento poses a specific risk to the Jewish community.
Emergency services were called to the scene at approximately 2:50 a.m. on Thursday,responding to a vehicle fire in the driveway of a property in st Kilda East,according to Victoria police.
On friday, police announced they are seeking 47-year-old John Argento as a person who may be able to assist with their inquiry. Argento is known to police and currently has an outstanding arrest warrant related to other matters, police stated.
“Detectives believe Argento lives a transient lifestyle and is known to frequent Melbourne’s inner southern and northern suburbs,” victoria Police said in a statement.
While the arson is being treated as a targeted attack, authorities have indicated there is no current evidence to suggest Argento poses a specific threat to the Jewish community. No one was inside the vehicle at the time of the incident, and the occupants of the house were evacuated as a precaution.
Community Response
victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Chris Gilbert stated, “We understand the devastating impact this type of [alleged] offence has on our Jewish community and we are continuing to prioritise this investigation.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta allan said she had been briefed on the St Kilda incident. “This is not what any family, street or community deserves to wake up to on Christmas Day in Australia,” Allan said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We have a duty to this community: to ensure their families are safe and feel safe right now, and to work long-term in a serious effort to drive anti-Semitism and hate out of our state.”
The incident occurred less than two weeks after a mass shooting in Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people and targeted Jews celebrating Hanukkah.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by the Guardian and added independant analysis and context.
Expanded News Report:
Why: A vehicle displaying a “Happy Chanukah” sign was deliberately set on fire in St Kilda East, Victoria, on Thursday at approximately 2:50 a.m. Authorities are investigating the incident as a suspected arson attack and are treating it as targeted.
Who: Victoria Police are investigating, with Assistant commissioner Chris Gilbert leading the response. John Argento, a 47-year-old man known to police with an existing arrest warrant, is being sought for questioning in connection with the arson. The occupants of the property where the vehicle was parked were safely evacuated.Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also responded to the incident.
What: A vehicle displaying a Chanukah message was burned in a driveway. While the investigation is ongoing, police believe the arson was a targeted attack. No one was injured in the incident.
How did it end? As of December 26, 2025, the investigation is ongoing. Police are actively seeking John Argento for questioning.While Argento has
