Man charged after synagogue targeted with graffiti six times

The 37-year-old was charged with multiple offences, including six counts of criminal damage and six counts of offensive graffiti, following a search warrant at his South Yarra home today.

Police allege he spray-painted offensive phrases on the outside walls of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on Toorak Road in South Yarra six times between March and July this year.

Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating multiple incidents of criminal damage to a South Yarra synagogue.
CCTV footage shows the man arriving on a black e-scooter while wearing a Scream mask. (Victoria Police)

Investigators seized items related to the alleged offending.

He was also charged with five counts of using an unregistered motor vehicle, five counts of unlicensed driving and one count of failing to stop on police direction.

Police released CCTV of an alleged vandal targeting the synagogue earlier this month.

CCTV footage shows a man arriving on a black e-scooter and in two instances in July he was seen wearing a Scream mask, which covered his face.

Pro-Palestine messaging including “free Palestine” and “Iran is da bomb” were brandished in red spray paint across the wall of the synagogue. (Supplied)

The alleged graffiti incidents at the heritage-listed synagogue took place on March 11, June 21, June 22, July 22 and July 30, police said.

In some instances, messaging including “free Palestine” and “Iran is da bomb” were painted in red and blue spray paint across the wall of the synagogue.

”Police certainly take a dim view of this sort of abhorrent behaviour in the public arena,” Inspector Martin McLean said at the time.

The man was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 21.

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