Another Montreal Café Firebombed

Source: CBC News

Posted: 11/24/09 9:39AM

Filed Under: Canada

A Molotov cocktail was thrown into a Montreal café early Tuesday morning, the latest in a string of arson attempts targeting cafés and bars across the island.

Authorities were alerted after a burglar alarm went off at Café Ferrari, on André-Ampère Avenue in Rivière-des-Prairies.

Police "found that the window was broken, and someone [had gone] inside," said Const. Olivier Lapointe. "Then they noticed it wasn't a regular break and enter, when someone just wants to steal."

The flaming device sparked a small fire that went out on its own, Lapointe said. The café was empty at the time.

Tuesday's incident is the ninth firebombing attempt in three weeks, all targeting Montreal cafés and bars.

Police have said they suspect the attacks are linked, and could be connected to a turf war involving Montreal's underworld.

Many owners have been reluctant to speak out about the serial attacks. Peter Sergakis, president of the Union of Quebec Bar Owners, publicly urged them on Monday to co-operate with police before attacks escalate.

John Zoumis, whose business was hit on Monday, said he's confident his case was an isolated incident.

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