The man threw the flammable bottle into the first level of a St Kilda hotel car park on the morning of January 24, causing a small fire but no damage.

Police released images of the man on Wednesday. The offender is described in his 40s of Caucasian appearance with short dark hair and a tattoo sleeve on his right arm.

He fled the scene on a mountain bike wearing a distinctive Meerkatsu Kingz MMA lycra cycling top.