POLICE NOW believe data breaches are behind two school shooting threats after a post was made on Google Classroom about 9.10pm on March 9.
Police spoke with the student who owned the account but investigations eliminated him as the author of the post. Identical threats were made through the Google Classroom account of another student at a different school which were reported to police on March 10.
Again, this student was eliminated as the author of the post.
An overt police presence has been provided at each school in response to the threats, in addition to enquiries being conducted by investigators onsite.
Inspections were completed, however nothing of interest was located.
Enquiries have identified that both students’ account emails were involved in a data breach resulting from a phishing campaign.
Further investigation into the source of the threats is being conducted by detectives attached to Ryde Police Area Command, with the assistance of the Cyber Crime Squad and the Department of Education Cyber Team.
Anyone with information relating to this incident or similar incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Cleaners attacked in school break-in
TWO CLEANERS at Gladesville Public School have been pelted with water bottles after being confronted by two unidentified male juveniles wearing medical masks at 6.50pm on March 6.
The cleaners later observed the juveniles inside a school building but were too intimidated to approach them or contact police.
When staff entered the school’s office the next morning, two handwritten notes with derogatory phrases and offensive symbols on them, were located.
Staff also observed a whiteboard to have an offensive symbol drawn on it.
Police attended and a crime scene was established. Various exhibits were seized for further examination.
An investigation is currently underway, with CCTV obtained from the school under review.
Anyone with information relating to this incident or similar incidents is urged to contact
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Witness appeal after three-car smash
A WHITE Toyota Yaris was travelling west- bound on Victoria Road, when it collided with a white Nissan X-Trail travelling in the same direction about 9.55am on March 12.
The Toyota Yaris then crossed over the median strip and travelled on the wrong side of the road, colliding with an oncoming grey Volkswagen Golf.
Police, Fire & Rescue and NSW Ambulance attended, assisting all occupants out of their vehicles.
Highway Patrol and Traffic Management Command assisted with traffic management, setting up diversions of all east-bound traffic on Victoria Road onto Marsden Road, West Ryde.
The driver (and sole occupant) of the Toyota Yaris, a 47-year-old man, was conveyed to hospital with possible fractures to his left leg.
The driver (and sole occupant) of the Nissan X- Trail, a 47-year-old man, did not sustain any visible injuries.
The driver (and sole occupant) of the Volkswagen Golf, a 54-year-old man, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later transported to hospital with possible rib and collarbone fractures.
The Toyota Yaris was towed for mechanical examination and assessment.
Anyone with dash-cam footage of the crash is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Charges laid over graffiti incidents
AN ELDERLY man from Meadowbank has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of destroying/damaging property after multiple reports of pro-Palestine graffiti located around the Meadowbank area.
The 74-year-old male is scheduled to appear before Burwood Local Court on April 7.
Ryde Police Area Command would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their assistance in the investigation.
Meanwhile 14 people have been arrested and charged with 65 offences following investigations into antisemitic incidents across Sydney.
Strike Force Pearl was established in December 2024 by officers attached to the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command – with support provided by Central Metropolitan Region, State Crime Command and State Intelligence Command – to investigate religious motivated arson attacks and offensive graffiti between October and February.
Following inquiries, Strike Force Pearl investigators executed 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders – with assistance at five premises from the Australian Federal Police – across Sydney on March 10, arresting 14 people.
Zero in on public transport offenders
OPERATION WARATAH 3 is underway as police continue to target the State’s worst public transport offenders.
Operation Waratah 3 is focusing on offenders involved in assaults and sexual touching incidents across the transport network including trains, buses and the Metro.
Incidents under investigation include the assault of a man, 34, at Strathfield Station about 9.25pm on December 27, with the matter reported to police.
As inquiries continue, police have released an image of a man (pictured) who may be able to assist police in their investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this suspect is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
