Chilling CCTV shows masked attacker in Sydney restaurant before manager stabbed

A masked man dressed entirely in black was captured on security camera in a Sydney restaurant moments before the manager was stabbed and the building set alight.

NSW Police today released the chilling footage of the suspect in the hope that someone will recognise the attacker and turn him in.

Angelo Ziotas, 39, was found with two stab wounds in his back on the top floor of the building at the corner of Devonshire and Crown Streets in Surry Hills on July 4.

Delivery driver Ibrahim Elakkaour and two other men rushed into the burning building to save Mr Ziotas, the manager of the Essenza Italian restaurant who lived upstairs. Mr Ziotas’ dog died from smoke inhalation from the fire.

“I’m quite confident that somebody out there knows who this person is,” Detective Inspector Adam Johnson told reporters today.

“You’ll see, what I would describe, as a male around 175-180cm tall of a medium build with maybe a slight gape in his walk in his right leg.”

In the footage, the suspected attacker can be seen holding something in his left hand while walking through what appears to be the ground floor of the restaurant, while can later be seen entering a door on the building’s second floor.

Det Insp Johnson said Mr Ziotas is recovering well after the “quite clearly intentional incident” and appealed for anyone with information about the attack to come forward to police.

“It’s a serious crime… We’re treating it as an attempted murder. There was serious fire damage to the restaurant as well. It’s a serious, serious matter,” he said.

“Our investigation has entailed significant CCTV canvassing and forensic analysis as well.

“(Mr Ziotas’) wife is the co-owner. It’s a difficult time for them… There was a young German shepherd that did die, mainly due to the smoke inhalation, the dog wasn’t actually burnt. It’s a terrible situation.”