Graffiti artist Gong charged by police after 18-month hunt
Police have finally charged a man they believe to be the graffiti artist behind some of Sydney’s most death-defying tags, with detectives accusing Caringbah 25-year-old Jarrad Harland as being the man behind the infamous moniker.
Wentworth Courier
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Police have charged 25-year-old Jarrad Harland, believing him to be the notorious Sydney graffiti artist “Gong”, who amassed a cult-like following online for illegal tags in some of the city’s most dangerous locations.
Police arrested Harland in Caringbah last week after a six-month probe by Surry Hills detectives, who will allege he is the man behind the infamous moniker whose death-defying graffiti was met with awe by art enthusiasts each time a piece popped up in Sydney.
The alleged spree began in March last year, according to documents tendered to court, with some of the tagging taking place in broad daylight.
Gong was described in some corners of the internet as “a Sydney icon” after works appeared on the side of staggeringly-high buildings from Chatswood, Pyrmont and Miranda to St Peters, Bondi Junction and Mascot.
Court documents reveal Harland has been charged with 13 offences, including tagging two Westfields, a Quest hotel and a train at Lidcombe, with potentially more charges to come.
Among the litany of alleged offences are several break and enters at the Sydney Dental Hospital, a Vaucluse apartment and a storage facility in Petersham.
It is believed graffiti on top of the entrance of the Eastern Distributor first caught the attention of detectives, who began looking into the case earlier this year.
Acting Commander Adam Johnson credited last week’s arrest and charging of Harland for crimes spanning the past 18 months to a junior constable at the command.
“If it wasn’t for him the matter may have stayed unresolved,” he said.
“We are treating this very seriously, given the amount of resources we put in.”
Harland appeared for a brief mention in the Sutherland Local Court last Thursday where he was granted bail, but he will next appear in the Downing Centre on October 17.