Hunt for man in Scream mask over synagogue graffiti

Perth Now

03-08-2025

A synagogue has been spray-painted in a series of hate-fuelled attacks, sparking a hunt for a masked man.
The synagogue, at South Yarra in Melbourne's inner southeast, has been the target of graffiti five times from March 11 to July 30.
On each occasion, police say an unknown man arrived alone on a black e-scooter and tagged "offensive phrases".
Security camera footage was released on Monday in a bid to track down the suspect, who is described as white, of medium build and bald.
He usually wore a long black jacket and black and white face covering, but also donned a Ghostface mask from the movie Scream in his two most recent forays on July 22 and 30.
"There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based behaviour," police said.
Melbourne synagogues have repeatedly become a target after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the nation's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Two buildings belonging to the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbourne's southeast, were gutted in an alleged firebombing in December 2024.
Giovanni Laulu, 21, was the first person directly charged over the alleged arson and fronted court on Thursday.
An allegedly deliberately lit fire at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation on July 4 forced a group of about 20 people inside the building to flee.
It was roundly condemned, including by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Angelo Loras, a 34-year-old from NSW, has since been charged with reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire and possession of a controlled weapon.