Jerry can man sought over extortion racket

A man seen buying petrol and a jerry can ahead of an arson attack could be key to cracking an extortion racket in western Sydney.

The man, aged in his 50s and of Middle Eastern appearance, was caught on CCTV purchasing the items just 35 minutes before a Harris Park hairdressing salon was deliberately set alight at about 4am on August 4 last year.

The fast-moving Marion Street blaze spread to a neighbouring newsagency and forced the evacuation of units upstairs.

Property Crime Squad Commander Murray Chapman said the arson attack was extremely dangerous.

"It was an incredibly reckless, dangerous act for anybody to even consider deliberately lighting a fire where there are people asleep upstairs with limited access to exits," Detective Superintendent Chapman told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

"Four residents were residing upstairs, above the salon, and were lucky to escape uninjured."

Detectives later found evidence of accelerant used in the fire, which caused an estimated $1 million damage.

Just three weeks later, a single gunshot was fired into a packed Indian restaurant on nearby Wigram Street.

More than 30 diners and staff were inside when the bullet pierced a window at about 9pm on August 25 and hit a shelf inside.

Nobody was injured in the shooting.

Det Supt Chapman said there was evidence to suggest the crimes were linked, and could be traced to a string of attempted extortions.

"We believe that the shooting may be linked into a number of extortions on businesses that were occurring in the Harris Park area at around that time last year," he said.

Police won't comment on the nature of the standover demands or how many businesses have been affected.

Asked if the extortion ring could be tied to any gangs or outlaws, Det Supt Chapman said it is believed a group was involved.

"There's certainly more that one person, we believe, that was active around August last year and involved in this activity," he said.

Urging anyone with more information to come forward, Det Supt Chapman conceded some business owners could be too frightened.

"That's why we're appealing for anybody that may have information about these extortions that were occurring last year, or may even be occurring now, to have the confidence to come forward," he said.

"All information supplied will be treated anonymously, and can be given confidentially."

Investigators have released CCTV footage of a man they believe can assist with their inquiries into the incidents.