Four neo-Nazis will be charged after counter-terror police conducted raids sparked by men wearing Ku Klux Klan robes allegedly harassing two women in a Bunnings carpark.
Victoria Police on Thursday confirmed officers swooped on five homes across Melbourne – in North Melbourne, Point Cook, Baxter, Ashwood and Wantirna South – as part of a “day of action” against the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network.
Police allege men verbally harassed two women at Bunnings car park in Port Melbourne on Halloween.
Social media messages seen by The Age indicate that three of those arrested are prominent local members of the group.
The raids follow an incident in a Bunnings carpark in Port Melbourne about 7.30pm on October 31. Police allege two men dressed in offensive clothing verbally harassed two women.
The Age has obtained a picture of a person dressed in Ku Klux Klan robes at that location on Halloween.
Police said a 25-year-old North Melbourne man, a 23-year-old Baxter man and a 21-year-old Ashwood man were all interviewed “in relation to the offences of serious racial vilification and grossly offensive public conduct”.
All three are expected to be charged on summons.
In a separate investigation, a 31-year-old from Wantirna South, was charged with “two counts of intimidate a police officer/family member”.
He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on February 18.
Police said the charges follow two incidents last month.
The first relates to “online commentary” after a rally on Bourke Street on October 22. That day, police pepper-sprayed and pushed back neo-Nazis who tried to disrupt refugee protesters’ 100th night demonstrating outside the Department of Home Affairs in Docklands.
The Wantirna South man was also interviewed about a flag burning outside an embassy in Toorak on October 26, police said.
Footage posted on social media that day showed dozens of black-clad people gathered outside the Chinese consulate. They were displaying a racist banner and demanding China return a man accused of fleeing Australia after throwing scalding coffee at a baby in Brisbane.
The Age has chosen not to publish the offensive banner.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.