Police tape outside a house in Brisbane, Australia on June 9, 2022. Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Police have charged a man after he allegedly rammed a war memorial flagpole several times in the coastal Queensland town of Hervey Bay.
The flagpole bearing the Australian flag was left leaning after the incident, just days before Australians commemorate Remembrance Day.
Police allege that at around 6.30 a.m. on Nov. 9, a 38-year-old man intentionally drove a black Nissan Navara at the flagpole on Main St, Pialba, several times, causing it to be damaged.
“It is further alleged police located a bladed weapon, drugs and drug utensils during a search of the vehicle.”
The man has been charged with one count of wilful damage, possessing a knife in a public place, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils or pipes that had been used.
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He will appear in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Nov. 10.
The incident coincided with two other attacks on war memorials in Queensland over the weekend.
A cenotaph in the suburb of Cleveland, east of Brisbane, was badly damaged at the weekend, with police calling for information.
John Kent, Acting Police Superintendent for the South Brisbane District, told media the sandstone monument in Anzac Memorial Park had been pushed over and broken sometime between Nov. 7-8.
“What’s happened here is a disgraceful and cowardly act of disrespect,” he said.
“This isn’t just property damage, it is a direct insult to those who have served and continue to serve our country.
“There is absolutely no place for this behaviour in our community.”
Meanwhile, damage was also done to a memorial in the coastal township of Moore Park, near Bundaberg.
Grass was damaged and memorial planters were dislodged in the attack.
Police say they are investigating reports a car was driving dangerously in the vicinity of Park Drive in Moore Park Beach overnight, Nov. 8.
“Investigations are ongoing, anyone with information or relevant vision from the area at the time is urged to contact police,” a spokesperson said.
