11 attacks on Monday led to the arrests of 14 people, including two women.
NSW (NSW) police arrested 14 individuals and charged 65 crimes after investigating a series of anti-Semitism cases in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The arrests are part of an ongoing operation under Strike Force Pal, which began in December 2024, and aim to disrupt criminal groups involved in hate-driven crimes targeting the Jewish community.
On March 10, Strike Force detectives implemented 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearms ban orders at five Sydney facilities.
The attacks have arrested 14 individuals, bringing the total number of arrests related to anti-Semitic attacks to 29, resulting in a total of 143 charges.
Details of the arrest and accusations
Among those arrested was a 31-year-old man accused of commanding a criminal group, malicious damage, arson and resting and entry.
Police allege he was involved in preparing and staging the vehicle for criminal conduct. He appeared in Newtown District Court and was denied bail. He is scheduled to appear in Downing Centre District Court on April 3rd.
Two men, ages 18 and 20, were arrested on the Central Coast. The 18-year-old from Sanremo was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, while both men were charged with participating in a criminal group.
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Police allegedly provided the vehicle used in a $3.4 million arson attack at Malubura Childcare Center on January 21.
A 33-year-old man was arrested and drove in the event of property damage, theft or disqualification, violated Adobo (an arrested domestic violence order), and violated a prominent traffic warrant. Police allegedly painted graffiti on vehicles and properties in Randwick and Kingsford on February 2nd.
On Box Hill, police arrested a 25-year-old man at his home. He is faced with accusations of joining a criminal group, causing property damage and being carried. Police allegedly painted graffiti on the Queen’s Park vehicle and property on January 11th.
Continued investigations and other arrests
In Pensharst, a 40-year-old man was arrested along with a 30-year-old man.
The elderly man has been charged with multiple crimes including driving while disqualified, stolen a vehicle, participating in a criminal group, observing digital evidence access orders, providing false information and resisting police.
Police allege he spray painted properties painted in Malubula, East Garden and East Lakes.
The young man was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and drug crime after police seized an electronic stun device and steroids during the attack.
Another 26-year-old man was arrested in Wentworth Point and charged with possession of drugs, dealing with criminal income and failing to comply with the Digital Evidence Access Order.
Police alleges that two mobile phones and cash were seized while searching for his property.
In Riverstone, police arrested two men, ages 23 and 37. Police claim spray-painted graffiti of one young person on a vehicle and facility on Henry Street in Queens Park on January 11th.
The elderly man has been accused of supporting arson planning at the Malubura Childcare Center and owning an unregistered firearm.
The 34-year-old man and the 41-year-old man were arrested in connection with arson and property damages.
In this case, the young man is accused of directing the activities of the criminal group and coordinating an arson attack in Bondi Beach. The elderly man faces accusations of damaging his property due to criminal activity after allegedly causing a fire in a business on Curlewis Street.
Women among the arrested women
Two women were also arrested during the surgery. A 26-year-old woman was taken into custody in Sutherland, joined a criminal group, provided prohibited drugs and claimed multiple drug possession crimes.
Police allege that methylphetamine and prescription drugs were seized from a search for Sutherland’s vehicle and Campbelltown property.
Another 27-year-old woman was arrested in the East Lakes squad on similar charges. Police allege marijuana, methylphetamine, prescription drugs and an electronic stun device were seized from the facility.
The arrest announcement follows a recent revelation by Australia’s Deputy Federal Police Director Chrissy Barrett, which states that the caravan containing the explosives discovered in January in Dural, northwest of Sydney, is a “fake terrorism conspiracy” related to organized crime.
Barrett described the discovery as “an elaborate plan devised by criminals.” She revealed that while the caravan was never intended to cause a massive casualty event, it was intended to create a fear of personal interests.
Barrett said local criminals were hired to carry out the plan under the direction of the mastermind to keep their distance.
