Man charged for damaging war memorial – North of Wollongong

A man has been charged with damaging a war memorial in the Illawarra.

About 7.30pm yesterday (Monday 18 March 2024), police were called to a surf club on Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Austinmer, following reports a person was writing offensive graffiti on the cenotaph.

A short time late, officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended and arrested a 24-year-old man at the scene.

He was taken to Wollongong Police Station where he was charged with wilfully damage or deface any protected place and destroy or damage property.

He was granted conditional bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 9 April 2024.

Police will allege the man also graffitied pillars of the surf life saving clubhouse, side of the lifeguard tower and a council drinking fountain.

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