Ivanhoe man arrested after alleged attempt to set Northcote meditation centre on fire

A man accused of dousing a meditation and healing centre in Melbourne’s north with petrol and trying to set it alight with people inside has been arrested.

A 25-year-old Ivanhoe man has been arrested after he allegedly tried to set a meditation centre in Northcote on fire.

A man who had allegedly escaped a mental health facility and allegedly tried to set a Northcote meditation centre on fire with people inside has been arrested.

Police appealed for help to find the man, identified as 25-year-old Bartholemew Griffith, after he allegedly broke into the International College of Meditation and Hearing in Salisbury Grove at 1.30am on April 8, and turned on the gas in the kitchen.

Mr Griffith then allegedly returned with a jerry can of petrol about 2.50am, and allegedly splashed the home and a woman inside with the petrol, and allegedly threw matches at her.

He was unable to light the petrol and ran from the scene.

Following an extensive search, officers found Mr Griffith at a home in Ivanhoe about 2.30am on Wednesday and arrested him without incident.

He has been charged with alleged offences including aggravated burglary, attempted criminal damage by fire, reckless conduct endangering life, stalking and other assault related offences.

Mr Griffith is expected to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.