Barone restaurant, Strathfield: NSW Police release CCTV of alleged arson

A fire at popular Italian restaurant Barone and an incident in which a man was attacked with a baseball bat are now believed to be linked – with police releasing CCTV in efforts to identify those involved.

CCTV vision of an alleged December arson attack on a Strathfield business. Picture: NSW Police

A restaurant owner who was repeatedly bashed with a baseball bat and had his business targeted by arsonists has spoken out as police release CCTV footage with the hope to identify the unknown attackers.

Owner of Italian restaurant Barone, Francesco (who did not wish to share his last name), suffered serious injuries after he was allegedly hit with baseball bat by three unknown men wearing balaclavas on December 29 at an underground carpark on Northcote St, Mortdale.

The 43-year-old was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja said it was a targeted attack due to a prior business dispute.

“The assault was quite significant, the man received lacerations to his face, severe injuries to his face and body and a fractured arm,” he said.

Owner of Italian restaurant Barone, Francesco, was allegedly attacked by three men in December last year.

Days later on January 4, emergency services were called to reports of a fire at Barone restaurant on The Boulevard, Strathfield.

Superintendant Arbinja said two men used an accelerant to gain access to the side entrance to the popular business and an allegedly stolen black BMW was found alight on Portland Ave, Enfield, a short time later.

CCTV vision of an alleged December arson attack on a Strathfield business. Picture: NSW Police

Fire & Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which caused significant damage to the business.

Francesco told this publication he didn’t want “the business to be affected by my personal life”.

“I was attacked for whatever reason,” he said.

Following the attacks, the restaurant owner said he’s “doing great” and has “no choice but to be happy”.

“We never shut down the business, we kept the business working all the way through,” he said. “We have nothing to hide, why shut down and you can’t just sit there.”

The Italian restaurant, known for their handmade pizzas and pastas, had a grand reopening in March.

Francesco said it was good to see the Strathfield community come together for the event.

“We’re a family, we have good people who work here,” he said.

Detectives have now revealed they are treating the two incidents – the fire and alleged assault – as linked.

They also said they believed those involved may have links to organised criminal networks.

Officers attached to both the Auburn and Burwood PACs established crime scenes at both locations before detectives from State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Crispe.

Strike force detectives are treating the alleged assault of the man and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, as linked.

Detectives have now released CCTV of the unknown men who may be able to assist with the investigation and are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam vision around the time and place of either incident to contact police.

Anyone with information that may assist investigations under Strike Force Crispe are urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000