Owner of burnt restaurant ‘doesn’t know’ why it was targeted

The owner of a restaurant rammed by a ute that was then set alight, burning his business, says he “doesn’t know” why it was targeted, as police release CCTV footage of two suspects.

A ute, which police say was a stolen white Isuzu D-Max, smashed into Arabella’s Middle Eastern restaurant on Boundary Street, West End, about 3am on Wednesday before being set alight.

The blaze spread through the restaurant and the shisha bar at the back, gutting the building.

No one was injured, but two men allegedly fled the scene in a white Ford Falcon.

“I don’t have a problem with anyone and I know nothing,” restaurant owner Sami Alsabag told Brisbane Times.

“Yesterday I finished at 11 o’clock, and came in to open this morning and saw everything.

Police are still searching for the men seen at the scene of the crash overnight.Credit: Nine News

“These people, I don’t know them. I’ve been in West End for 15 years and never had any problems.”

Alsabag says he only took over the restaurant six weeks ago.

Releasing CCTV footage on Wednesday afternoon, police revealed the Isuzu had been stolen from Shorncliffe on October 29.

It shows two suspects allegedly fleeing the scene in a white Ford Falcon, both wearing hoodies – one beige, the other black – and black track pants.

Anyone with information, or additional relevant footage is urged to contact police.

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