A man has been charged after nearly 90 expensive and luxury cars were defaced with spray paint.
The cars, parked on public streets in Sydney’s eastern and inner western suburbs, had their iconic badges painted over in red or blue paint this month.
Alex Mucibabic, 49, was arrested in connection with the alleged spree after police executed a search warrant at around 3pm on Friday at a unit on Pyrmont Bridge Road in Camperdown.
Police officers in Kings Cross, Surry Hills, Eastern Suburbs and Leichhardt received 87 reports of luxury cars being sprayed with paint.
Metro Central Region officials established the Opelika Strike Force to investigate the incidents.
Police have issued a public appeal for help in catching the perpetrator and released CCTV images of a suspect.
Images of luxury vehicles including Porsches, BMWs and Mercedes Benz were shared among Sydneysiders as the number of vehicles sprayed increased between August 19 and 28.
Both new and older models of luxury cars were attacked on public roads.
More than 80 luxury cars were reported to have been sprayed with paint between August 19 and 28 in Sydney’s inner east.
Police have released CCTV images of a man they suspect is responsible for the graffiti spree.
Mucibabic was arrested and taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with 23 counts of destruction or damage to property.
Parramatta Bail Court heard Mucibabic is expected to face further charges in relation to other cars allegedly involved, the Daily Telegraph reported.
It also emerged that Mucibabic had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had very little recollection of the alleged incidents and often heard voices telling him to go for a walk at night.
He was granted strict bail with conditions including that he “not be in possession of any cans of paint,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Luxury cars, including Mercedes Benz and BMW, were painted in blue and red paint.
His bail requires him to report to Glebe police twice a week, attend a local mental health facility and avoid areas of the city where cars have been sprayed with paint.
He must also obey a curfew that prevents him from wandering outdoors between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Mucibabic will return to Sydney Downing Centre on Saturday 6 September.
