NSW Police today executed 11 search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders resulting in the arrests of 14 people in relation to recent hate-filled, antisemitic attacks across Sydney’s east.
“We have said from the beginning – Police will work around the clock to get to the bottom of these crimes and today those investigations have had a major resolution,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“These arrests are the culmination of dogged, round the clock police work and we congratulate the Strike Force Pearl detectives who for months have worked tirelessly to investigate these crimes and identify those allegedly responsible to put them before the courts.”
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, State Crime Command and State Intelligence Command – to investigate religious motivated arson attacks and offensive graffiti across the Eastern Suburbs between October 2024 and February 2025.
SInvestigators executed 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders – with assistance at five premises from the Australian Federal Police – earlier today, arresting 14 people.
Of the 14 arrested, five people have been charged as follows:
A 33-year-old man was arrested at a Wentworthville unit and taken to Granville Police Station. He was charged with two counts of intentionally damage property in company, larceny and drive whilst disqualified. He was also charged with contravene ADVO and an outstanding warrant was executed. Police will allege in court that the man attended King Lane, Randwick and See Lane, Kingsford on Sunday 2 February, and spray-painted graffiti on motor vehicles and properties. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court the same day.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at Penshurst and taken to Kogarah Police Station. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, participate criminal group contribute criminal, fail to comply digital evidence access order direction, give false etc info re digital evidence access order, and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. Police will allege in court that the man attended a home and a school at Maroubra, a shopping centre at Eastgardens, and a home at Eastlakes and spray-painted graffiti on the properties. The man was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court the same day.
A 27-year-old woman was arrested at an Eastlakes unit and taken to Mascot Police Station. She was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drugs, two counts of Possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, and possess or use a prohibited weapon. An outstanding warrant was also executed. Police will allege in court that cannabis, methylamphetamine, prescription medication and an electronic stun device was seized during the warrant at the Eastlakes property. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 10 April.
Two men, aged 41 and 34, were arrested at Burwood Police Station after being transferred from a correctional facility. The younger man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, accessory before the fact to destroy property in company use fire, and accessory before the fact to damage property by fire/explosion. Police will allege in court that the man directed the commission of the arson attacks at Bondi Beach. He was remanded in custody to appear at Waverley Local Court tomorrow.
The older man was charged with an additional offence of destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group. Police will allege in court that the man attended the Curlewis Street business on Sunday 20 October 2024 and broke into the premises before setting it alight. He was remanded in custody to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 27 March.
“There is no mistake that these acts have wrought fear and anxiety in our Jewish community and we will not tolerate this, not now, not ever,” said Premier Minns.
Police will allege that those arrested today for the most serious of these crimes had criminal and financial motives.
“But nobody should be in any doubt, we have endured a summer of hateful, vicious incidents such as vile antisemitic graffiti attacks and many of these appear to have been motivated simply by nasty, racist hatred.”
“We can never accept that. The NSW Government and NSW Police Force will remain vigilant and act swiftly to bring perpetrators to justice so as to eradicate this atrocious behaviour whenever it occurs,” said Premier Minns.
