Gang Crime Squad looking for David John Stitson, 50, after man set on fire with blow torch in Baldivis

Police have released disturbing footage of a gang-related attack that has left a man fighting for his life after he was allegedly doused in accelerant and set alight with a blow torch on the front porch of a home in Baldivis.

It comes as the gang crime squad hunt David John Stitson, 50, who they believe can help in the investigation.

Police say the victim, a man in his 40s, was confronted by two men at a home in Baldivis on December 30.

During the altercation, the offenders poured a flammable liquid and set the victim alight with a blow torch.

It caused a “fireball” that left the victim with extensive burns to the “entire front of the victim’s body and head”.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Thompson, of the gang crime squad, said the two offenders had associations with an outlaw motorcycle gang. It is understood the men are linked to the Rebels.

The victim — who is not associated with a motorcycle gang but is known to the men — was taken to Royal Perth Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

CCTV footage of the attack shows the two men approaching the victim before a verbal altercation escalates.

The man is doused in a flammable liquid before he is set alight. He is recorded running away in a frantic bid to douse the flames.

He received burns to about 60 per cent of his body.

On Wednesday, January 8, a 24-year-old man was arrested in Rockingham and charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police are now on the hunt for Mr Stitson, who they say may be able to help with the investigation.

The 50-year-old is described as approximately 180cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair and blue eyes.

Mr Stitson’s whereabouts are unknown, however, he is known to frequent the areas around Port Kennedy, Baldivis and Rockingham.

Police have raided several properties in their search for Mr Stitson.

Det-Sen. Sgt Thompson said the “targeted attack” did not stem from a feud between rival gangs, with with reason behind the attack still under investigation.

“The victim was inside the house with some other people, there was another discussion which I’m not going to go into,” he said.

“Those two men who arrived at that location were not part of that discussion.”

Det-Sen. Sgt Thompson said the victim would be in hospital for a “number of months” as he undergoes “up to 15 surgeries”.

“I have to reiterate that he is in a critical (condition), there is still a threat to his life,” he said.

“Our lines of inquiries was inhibited by the fact that the victim was in a coma and couldn’t provide an account of what occurred, so we had to use other forms of inquiry to establish exactly what occurred.”

Det-Sen. Sgt Thompson said the attack was on the “extreme” end of the scale.

“In the footage the second man is armed with what appears to be small axes, it’s extremely confronting ... and this is why we are taking it at the highest level,” he said.

“We want to resolve this immediately for specific risks and also to ensure the community that we are protecting them.”

Det-Sen. Sgt Thompson warned “this is the reality of a gang lifestyle, this is the reality that we see on a daily basis at gang crime”.

“There’s a lot of deception, there’s a lot of lies, and there’s a violence all over the place, 24 hours a day. This is why gang crime strives really hard to remove gangs out of our community,” he said.

He added anybody helping to hide Mr Stitson should “expect a visit from the gang crime squad”.

“There is no place in our community for this kind of violence — we will not tolerate this brutal violence in the community,” he said.

“Intimidation and stand-over tactics will not be tolerated.

“If you are harbouring this individual, please expect a visit from the gang crime squad at any time of the day, we will be unrelenting until we locate Mr Stitson.”

Investigators are urging the public to call police immediately on 131 444 if they see Mr Stitson, but warn they should not approach him.

The 24-year-old — who Det-Sen. Sgt Thompson said was “difficult to locate” — is due to appear at the Rockingham Magistrates Court on February 7.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mr Stitson is urged to report that information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au.