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The arrest of a man who allegedly attempted to set a synagogue on fire in Sydney’s inner west this month is a “big breakthrough”, the New South Wales premier has said, as investigations continue into a spate of antisemitic vandalism in the city.
Adam Edward Moule, 33, had his case briefly mentioned at Downing Centre local court on Wednesday and was scheduled to appear again on Thursday before the same court.
Moule is the ninth person to be charged under Strike Force Pearl which was set up to investigate alleged hate crimes with an antisemitic focus across Sydney.
He is alleged to have painted red swastikas across the front wall of the synagogue in Newtown and ignited a clear liquid that burned out within minutes.
The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, told reporters on Wednesday that a second arrest related to the Newtown incident was expected “shortly”.
Detectives arrested Moule after search warrants were executed overnight at two addresses in Camperdown.
Moule was initially taken to St Vincent’s hospital under police guard, according to police, but on his release was taken to Surry Hills police station and charged with destroying property using fire, having goods suspected of being stolen and cultivating a prohibited plant. He was refused bail.
Police said during the search they seized a number of items for further examination.
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Separately, 34-year-old Tammie Farrugia appeared in court on Tuesday after she was charged in relation to an incident in Woollahra in December which saw a car set alight and a home spray painted with anti-Israel graffiti.
The NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, said on Wednesday that “proactive policing” had increased in areas where there were large Jewish communities and at “places of significance”.
Police had “very strong leads” regarding separate incidents of vandalism at an Allawah synagogue in January and an arson attack on a childcare centre in Maroubra on Tuesday, Webb said.
“All these [separate] matters are being dealt with seriously, and we will continue pursuing all lines of inquiry and investigate these matters to their fullest to identify the offenders,” she said on Wednesday.
“We all have to keep an open mind and we shouldn’t rule out anything,” she said.
The premier, Chris Minns, told reporters the arrest of Moule was a “big breakthrough” and that 40 full-time detectives were now working under Strike Force Pearl to catch alleged perpetrators. There have been six major acts of antisemitic or anti-Israel graffiti over the past two months in Sydney.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that civic leaders and the leaders of NSW stand united against this kind of fear and intimidation,” he said.
