Man charged with 53 hate crimes in Sydney's inner west, including alleged spray-painting of Nazi symbol
The 21-year-old was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning by police officers on patrol.
He was spotted allegedly spray painting offensive graffiti on Crystal Street in Petersham over the top of stickers in support of First Nations communities and the LGBTQ+ community.
NSW Police allege the man's offending started in late April.
"It will be further alleged that the man has damaged and sprayed offensive messages on buildings and political posters commencing on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, until the time of his arrest in the Erskineville and Newtown areas," they said in a statement.
The man's charges include: Enter inclosed [sic] land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse; eight counts of intentionally mark premises etc without prescribed consent; 21 counts of knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse; and 23 counts of destroy or damage property.
On April 29, Inner West Police Area Command appealed for information on social media after political posters were defaced in Newtown, Enmore and Erskineville.
At the time, they wrote that "27 political posters, two structures and a sign outside a hotel" had been vandalised, with some of the items "subject to forensic examination".
Felicity Moody is owner of the Wattle and Bee plant store in Petersham where the man was arrested.
At the shop's entrance, below the welcome sign, there are four flags — the Trans, Rainbow, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal flags — which had been sprayed over, in what Ms Moody described as "very hateful".
"The police officer just happened to be driving past as he was attacking my shop," she said.
"I'm very grateful, I was woken up at the middle of the night last night by the police to let me know."
She added that all people were supported and welcomed in her shop, and it was important for her to show that.
"Those flags have a lot of meaning, to not just myself but my customers.
"I will definitely be replacing them; this is not going to put me off. If anything, it's just given me further ammunition to do what I do and be as welcoming and as accepting as I can."
The man is due to appear at Newtown Local Court on Monday.
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