Man charged with graffiti and arson attacks on vehicles and buildings in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
A man has been charged after 10 cars and several buildings were damaged in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, in what police allege was a targeted anti-Semitic spree causing up to $100,000 in damage.
Police & Courts
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A man has been charged with 21 offences following a spate of anti-Semitic vandalism and an arson incident that caused significant damage to vehicles and buildings in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last week.
Police were called to Wellington St in Woollahra shortly before 12.30am on Thursday following reports of a car fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was destroyed, and another car suffered minor fire damage.
A total of 10 vehicles parked across Wellington, Tara, Fullerton and Ocean streets were vandalised with graffiti.
Three buildings on Ocean and Fullerton streets were also defaced, with the combined damage estimated between $90,000 and $100,000.
Strike Force Mylor, established to investigate the incidents, arrested Mohommed Farhat at 3.50am on Monday at Sydney Airport in Mascot.
The 20-year-old was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with 21 offences, including 14 counts of destroy or damage property, three counts of entering a building with intent to commit an indictable offence, arson causing damage exceeding $5,000, arson causing damage under $2,000, disguising face with intent to commit an indictable offence and behaving offensively in public.
Farhat was refused bail and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday.
The graffiti, which contained anti-Israel sentiments, has drawn widespread condemnation from politicians and community leaders.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attacks as “deeply troubling,” while Premier Chris Minns labeled them “unacceptable, un-Australian, and intolerable.”
Jewish community leaders called the incidents a “campaign of intimidation” targeting Sydney’s Jewish residents.
Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said the vandalism was part of a growing wave of anti-Semitism in the city.
Investigations under Strike Force Mylor are ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information or relevant CCTV footage to come forward.
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