NSW Police Force

01/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 21:14

Second man charged after alleged attempt to set alight Newtown religious building - Strike Force Pearl

Untitled

Second man charged after alleged attempt to set alight Newtown religious building - Strike Force Pearl

Friday, 24 January 2025 01:51:58 PM

A second man has been charged after an alleged attempt to set a religious building on fire in Newtown earlier this month.

About 7.30am on Saturday 11 January 2025, officers attached to Inner West Police Area Command called to Georgina Street after offensive symbols were seen painted on the synagogue.

Police will allege two people graffitied the building and fence, while also attempting to set the premise on fire.

Following inquiries, Strike Force Pearl detectives executed search warrants at two addresses on Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown, on Tuesday (21 January 2025).

A 33-year-year-old man was arrested and charged and remains before the court.

Following further inquiries, Strike Force Pearl detectives attended a hotel on Pyrmont Street, Darling Harbour, about 1pm yesterday (Thursday 23 January 2025), where, with the assistance of specialist police, a 37-year-old man was arrested. He was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics after being Tasered before being taken to Day Street Police Station.

The man was taken to hospital for medical assessment before returning to Day Street Police Station today (Friday 24 January 2025), where he has now been charged with destroy/damage property in company, destroy property in company use fire, and knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse.

He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Saturday 25 January 2025).

Strike Force Pearl was established in December 2024 by officers attached to the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command - with support provided by Central Metropolitan Region - to investigate hate crimes with an antisemitic focus across Sydney.

A total of 10 people have now been charged under Strike Force Pearl,

Four men - aged 31, 37, 40 and 26 - have been charged following fires at two businesses in Bondi in October 2024

Three men - aged 20,19 and 21 - have been charged after 10 vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in November 2024

A woman - aged 34 - has been charged after vehicles and buildings were allegedly deliberately damaged in Woollahra in December 2024, and now,

Two men - aged 33 and 37 - have now been charged after a building in Newtown was allegedly graffitied and attempted to be set alight.

Inquiries under Strike Force Pearl continue.

^