A man has been charged after an alleged attempt to set a religious building on fire in Newtown earlier this month.
Detectives attached to Strike Force Pearl arrested a 33-year-old man when search warrants were executed overnight (Tuesday 21 January 2025), at two addresses on Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown.
The man was initially taken to St Vincent's Hospital under police guard, but on release was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with destroy etc property in company use fire, destroy/damage property in company, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, and cultivate prohibited plant.
During the search, police also seized a number of items which have been taken for further examination.
He has been refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court today Wednesday 22 January 2025, making him the ninth person to be charged under Strike Force Pearl.
The charges relate to an alleged attempt to set a building alight on Georgina Street, Newtown, on Saturday 11 January 2025. Offensive graffiti was also allegedly sprayed on the building.
Strike Force Pearl detectives were assisted by officers attached to the Terrorism Investigation Squad, Security Investigation Unit, Public Order and Riot Squad, along with officers from Inner West Police Area Command and Leichhardt Police Area Command.
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's Eastern Suburbs.
A total of nine people have now been charged under Strike Force Pearl,
- Four men – aged 31, 27, 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,
- A 33-year-old man has now been charged after a building in Newtown was allegedly graffitied and attempted to be set alight.
Inquiries under Strike Force Pearl continue.
