Lochlan Ebejer: Man who allegedly urinated on food at a Woolworths store in Sydney CBD faces court
A man accused of urinating on fruit and vegetables in the Woolworths business district in front of shocked customers has previously been banned from the store, a court has heard.
Lochlan Ebejer, 22, appeared in Parramatta District Court on Sunday, hours after being charged with defiling property with intent to cause public disorder.
He was also charged with entering a non-prescribed fenced area without a lawful reason and with offensive behavior on a non-prescribed fenced area.
Ebejer is alleged to have urinated on shelves of raw meat in front of at least four customers at a Woolworths on George Street in Sydney’s CBD on July 1.
The 28-second incident is believed to have caused more than $300 worth of damage to products, before Ebejer was captured on CCTV leaving the store while buttoning his pants.
Police were told that crews had been working for hours to clean up the contamination in the area.
The court also heard that the Toongabbie man had previously been banned from visiting the Woolworths store, Daily telegram reported.
New South Wales police released the CCTV footage from Woolworths last Thursday as part of a public appeal to track down the alleged perpetrator.
Lochlan Ebejer, who was accused of urinating on raw chilled meat at Woolworths, was granted bail on Sunday afternoon
The images showed a man wearing a cap backwards, a black jacket and black trousers on the supermarket’s escalator.
Ebejer was arrested at 1:40 a.m. on Sunday in Hunters Hill and taken to Gladesville Police Station.
He appeared in court via video link from the police station.
The court heard Ebejer was taking medication and receiving NDIS support after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The prosecutor opposed bail, calling the alleged offence “deeply disturbing”.
CCTV footage shows the man wearing a cap backwards, a black jacket and black trousers on the supermarket escalator on July 1
He cited reasons including the risk that Ebejer would reoffend and his history of failing to comply with court orders.
Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said the alleged incident was “unusual” and could potentially jeopardise the integrity of Woolworths.
“The facts indicate that it was a protest or part of his psychological problems,” he told the court.
Ebejer was released on strict bail conditions.
He must report to the police daily and is not allowed to enter any Woolworths store.
Wearing dark sunglasses, a cap on backwards and a Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt, Ebejer declined to comment to the waiting media as he left the field.
He will appear in Downing Centre Court on July 16.