‘A coward chasing fame’ – cops hit back at Mangerton Facebook fugitive

Justin Filipetti, AKA Justin Cameron, has posted four videos since June 19 – goading police to “come and get me” but also declaring “I haven’t done anything wrong” and “you won’t find me”. 

Brad Ainsworth, Detective Inspector Crime Manager at Wollongong Police District said police were unimpressed by the taunts. 

“Personally I think it’s just a bit of a coward act. There’s a warrant out for his arrest. Really, he should hand himself in,” he said. 

“He needs to man up and come and face the allegations made against him and go from there.” 

Read more: ‘I’m daring you – come’ - accused Mangerton firebomber Justin Filipetti taunts police

“Personally I think he’s just trying to highlight himself and have his 10 seconds of fame. But it really doesn’t impress us too much and I wouldn’t see it impressing people in the community either.”  

Police issued a warrant for Filipetti’s arrest in the aftermath of a fire at the doorstep of his female neighbour’s Myuna Way unit on June 14. 

Elsewhere in his videos, he says it will take the tactical response group to bring him into custody, and claims no one will assist police in their efforts to locate him. 

"No one’s going to tell you where I am. Do you know why? Because I’m not a f-cking dog. I’m going to clean up the Illawarra and I’m going to show ya what I f-cking do to dogs … you’re going to see the real me … I just done five years for stabbing a dog. 

He later laments: “Why do people have to write statements on other people. … f-cking dogs”. 

Once arrested, Filipetti will face a charge of malicious damage by fire.