Man fronts court charged with murder of China Bar restaurant owner
A man arrested over the killing of a Melbourne restaurateur has appeared in court charged with theft and murder.
Alexander Wong, a 40-year-old from Reservoir, was arrested on Tuesday morning in relation to the death of Yoke Onn "Vincent" Chi.
Alexander Wong arriving at court on Tueday.Credit:Nine News
The 57-year-old owner of the China Bar restaurant in Preston's Northland Shopping Centre was found dead just after 11pm on January 31.
Mr Wong appeared in front of Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon dressed in a green long sleeve shirt having removed the gold-coloured earing he wore on the way into court after his arrest.
Mr Wong sat calmly as magistrate Mia Stylianou told him he would be remanded until his next hearing, a committal mention, on October 12.
Mr Chi’s body was found by his son after a "very violent" attack in his Lower Templestowe home.
Vincent Chi.Credit:Victoria Police
In the weeks after the death, Detective Senior Sergeant Pixie Fuhrmeister from the homicide squad said one line of inquiry centred on a previous altercation between Mr Chi, who was not known to police, and someone from his workplace.
On the day he died, Mr Chi left a shopping centre carrying a black bag that held what police believe was the day's takings from his restaurant.
Police could not locate the bag after the death.
Senior Sergeant Fuhrmeister said Mr Chi left his work about 9.15pm and made a phone call to a family member, where he did not raise any concerns.
"There is a likely scenario he has been followed home for the day's takings to be stolen ... that was his normal routine that was known by quite a lot of people," she said.
The fact it was 9.30pm and Mr Chi's car was in the driveway meant it was unlikely to be a burglary attempt, she added.
Mr Chi lived alone but was visited frequently by family at his home, which was about 10 kilometres from his restaurant, according to police.
Neighbours described him as "very nice", "softly spoken" and not a violent man.
Ella Chi, daughter of Vincent Chi.Credit:Nine News
On the day after the death Mr Chi's daughter, Ella, said it was "still like dreaming".
"[I] can't believe it's real ... he [her younger brother] just found his body in front of the door," she said.
"Only three of us left as a family ... finally he can meet my mum at the heaven."