14 people arrested; five charged - Strike Force Pearl
Monday, 10 March 2025 04:28:07 PM
Fourteen people have been arrested with the potential of up to 49 charges following investigations into antisemitic incidents across Sydney’s east.
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.
Following inquiries, Strike Force Pearl investigators executed 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders – with assistance at five premises from the Australian Federal Police - earlier today (Monday 10 March 2025), 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 2025, 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 2025.
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 (Tuesday 11 March 2025).
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 2025.
Further information will be provided when available.