Victims mute in Montreal cafe firebombings

Who's been firebombing all those Italian cafes in Montreal?

The answer police have been getting so far: silenzio.

Police are stumped as to why at least five bars in the city have been hit by Molotov cocktails in less than a month, but what has become perfectly clear is that the victims don't want to talk.

The head of the Montreal police arson squad said his detectives are contemplating a number of theories but with the merchants remaining mute, all they have right now are hypotheses.

There's the possibility that a Mafia war has erupted. Or perhaps a brazen street gang is trying to move in on the mob's turf. Or maybe rival street gangs are simply battling amongst themselves.

Police have even considered the possibility of a copycat arsonist with a particular penchant for putting latte-makers out of business.

"None of the hypotheses have been set aside but none have been validated for the time being either," said Cmdr. Robert Quevillon, who heads the police arson and economic crimes unit.

He added that cases of arson throughout the city have actually dropped between 12 and 17 per cent compared to last year.

What has police most concerned is that there might be an innocent victim during the early-morning attacks. Nobody has been injured so far.

"It's worrisome because the areas have residences above or on either side of the cafe," Quevillon said.

"We don't want any innocent victims as a result of these fires."

Sets poor image

It's a step backwards if these owners aren't willing to talk, says an association that represents some 1,800 pub and tavern owners in Quebec.

What annoys association president Renaud Poulin is that after years of work to curb organized-crime intimidation in the industry, it might be coming back.

"The owners aren't collaborating [now] and that sets a poor image — it gives the impression that they are directly involved in all of it," Poulin said.

The province introduced a police sweep dubbed "Nocturnal" in 2004, designed to counteract intimidation by the Hells Angels at various drinking establishments across the province.

As part of the plan, police would show up unannounced and act on allegations and tips from patrons and bar owners.

The exercise also served to forge better relationships with bar owners, who in the past have been reluctant to collaborate in police investigations because of fears of reprisals.

Poulin said the latest round of attacks is eerily reminiscent of Quebec's infamous biker wars of the 1990s, which included a daily dose of tit-for-tat reprisals and frequent arson attempts.

"I understand that owners might be afraid, but they can work with police in a discreet way," Poulin said.

The bar owners' association meets in early December and the issue will likely be debated then, Poulin noted.