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Victoria Police have now arrested two teenage boys following an incident allegedly involving antisemitism earlier this week.
On Monday, a group of Jewish teenagers was pursued by people in a car in Ripponlea, and one of the victimised teens later claimed the perpetrators performed Nazi salutes and chanted “Heil Hitler”.
On Friday night, police confirmed they had arrested a 16-year-old from the Knox area.
He has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and numerous driving offences.
It followed them arresting a 15-year-old from the Yarra Ranges area on Wednesday and charging him with theft of a motor vehicle.
Though the younger boy has been bailed ahead of his court appearance next month, the 16-year-old has been remanded in custody until he faces court on Tuesday.
Footage of the incident shows a white ute slowing down at the intersection of Glen Eira Road and Hotham Street around 10pm, before making a U-turn as the group of teenagers cross the street.
The ute then appears to deliberately drive at the boys, after which it slowly follows them down the street.
Victoria Police acting Commander Adrian Healy said on Tuesday that the antisemitic abuse occurred just before the scenes in the footage.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that this would occur,” Healy said.
It was the father of one of the boys followed, Chayim Klein, who said his son alleged those inside the car yelled “Heil Hitler” and performed Nazi salutes.
Police say their investigations into Monday’s Ripponlea incident remain ongoing and anyone with information, who witnessed the incident or with footage should contact Crime Stoppers.
Following the first arrest, Naomi Levin off the Jewish Community Council of Victoria said she was concerned the suspect was only 15 years old.
“That to me as well as being a law enforcement issue is a serious education issue, why are 15-year-olds thinking it’s acceptable to do? It’s beyond belief to be honest and think questions need to be asked about what more we can be doing with kids in schools,” she told 3AW.
Asked why she thought teenage boys thought it was funny to use these slurs: “I wish I had an answer, I don’t think there is one single answer. I think we need to have explicit teaching in schools what is and isn’t acceptable. I don’t think we can take for granted that people think racism [is serious and] not a joke any more.”
The 16-year-old was arrested in Melton, in Melbourne’s outer west, on Thursday night, the same night Australia commemorated the Bondi terror attack in which 15 people were gunned down at a Jewish festival in December.
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