A couple allegedly named on a police warrant as part of an investigation into a caravan laden with explosives has been charged in relation to a separate alleged arson and graffiti attack in Sydney’s east.
New South Wales police on Tuesday charged Scott Marshall, 36, over an incident in Woollahra on 11 December last year when an allegedly stolen car was set alight and anti-Israel graffiti was painted on cars, buildings and a footpath.
Marshall’s partner, Tammie Farrugia, 34, was charged in mid-January in relation to the Woollahra incident. She is accused of participating in a criminal group and damaging property.
Marshall was arrested in Parklea prison on Tuesday – where he was being held on remand on unrelated charges – and charged with allegedly participating in a criminal group to contribute to criminal activity; destroying or damaging property as an accessory before the fact; and taking and driving a vehicle without the consent of the owner.
Det Supt Darren Newman said NSW police would allege Marshall and Farrugia were “involved in preparing” the car and jerry cans ahead of the Woollahra attack.
The head of Strike Force Pearl told reporters on Wednesday the alleged “principal offenders” behind the 11 December incident had not been arrested.
Newman wouldn’t comment on the separate investigation into the caravan – which was found containing explosives in Dural in January – because that probe was being conducted by counter-terrorism police.
Neither Faruggia nor Marshall have been charged in relation to the caravan and Guardian Australia does not suggest any wrongdoing on their part.
Marshall is the 13th person to be charged under Strike Force Pearl – a police operation set up to investigate acts of hate across Sydney. It is examining a spate of arson attacks and antisemitic and anti-Israel graffiti on streets and synagogues.
Newman was asked on Wednesday about earlier police suggestions some of the attacks were conducted by people who were paid to commit crimes.
“It would appear, from our investigations, there is certainly a level of planning,” he said.
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On Wednesday, police also released CCTV footage linked to an alleged antisemitic graffiti attack on 30 January on Mount Sinai College, a nearby home and a shopping centre in Maroubra.
“I specifically am requesting members of the public to look at an image that has been circulated today, which has been taken from one of our [road] tunnels in the south of Sydney,” Newman said.
Newman said police believed the three incidents were linked. The CCTV showed two males and a white Kia Stonic SUV.
Newman said Pearl detectives were working around the clock.
“It’s really complex,” he said. “There are multiple incidents under investigation. We have charged 13 people with 68 offences, but it won’t stop there. There are more people to be charged.”
