A second man has been arrested 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 were notified after graffiti was spray painted on a synagogue on Georgina Street, Newtown.
Initial inquiries revealed two people attended the synagogue earlier that morning and allegedly spray-painted graffiti on the building and fence, while also attempting to light the premises 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 on Tuesday (21 January 2025), and remains before the court.
Following further inquiries, Strike Force Pearl detectives attended a hotel on Pyrmont Bridge Road, Pyrmont, about 1pm today (Thursday 23 January 2025).
With the assistance of specialist police, a 37-year-old man was arrested. He has been assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics after being tasered before being taken to Day Street Police Station.
Inquiries under Strike Force Pearl continue.
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 nine people have 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,
A 33-year-old man has now been charged after a building in Newtown was allegedly graffitied and attempted to be set alight.
