Two women have been charged after police allegedly caught them spray‑painting the Melbourne RSL on Anzac Day.
Patrolling members spotted the pair allegedly tagging a wall of the Heidelberg RSL about 1.45am on Saturday.
It’s alleged that as soon as the women saw police, they split and ran in opposite directions, prompting officers to chase them on foot.
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Both were arrested after a short pursuit.
Police are now investigating whether the incident is linked to two other RSL vandalism attacks reported overnight — one at Reservoir and another at Fawkner.
In separate incidents from those two, between Thursday and Friday, Port Melbourne’s Answering The Call statue was defaced with spray paint, along with the Centenary Bridge pylon, which was also graffitied.
In Reservoir, offenders graffitied and defaced the walls of the RSL on the corner of Spring and Cleeland streets.
A passer‑by noticed the damage just after midnight and alerted police.
In Fawkner, graffiti was discovered around 5am at the Lorne St RSL, believed to have been sprayed sometime between 24 and 25 April.
Detectives will review CCTV to determine whether it’s connected.
The Fawkner RSL said in a statement the attack was done by “cowards in the night.”
“This attack does nothing but strengthen our resolve to commemorate our dead and advocate for the living,” it said.
“The paint will be removed; our memorial will be restored to honor the glory of our fallen.
“We would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the many members of the community who have volunteered to restore and support the Fawkner RSL at this time.
“Lest We Forget.”
The women, aged 22 and 20, have been charged with criminal damage, marking graffiti without consent and possessing a graffiti implement.
They have been bailed to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on May 19
Police are urging anyone with dashcam, CCTV or information to contact them.
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