The man accused of stealing beloved items from a Bondi Beach shooting victim in the aftermath of the terror attack has been identified as Sydney photographer Danny Ridley.
The 35-year-old was arrested on Wednesday after detectives investigating the attack identified that one of the victims, 61-year-old photographer Peter Meagher, had his camera equipment stolen after the shooting.
Mr Meagher was one of 15 people killed when Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly opened fire at the Chanukah By the Sea event on December 14.
Police raided a home in Marayong, in Sydney’s west, at about 6.30am on Wednesday and arrested Ridley.
He was taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with larceny between $2,000 and $5,000, disposing of stolen property, furnishing false information to a licensee, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and possessing and supplying drugs.
'At the address, police located and seized a camera, handcuffs, and electronic devices,' NSW Police said in a statement.
'During a search of a car, police located and seized a small amount of white crystal powder and further electronics.'
Police allege Ridley was a photographer at the same Chanukah event that Mr Meagher was also covering when he was shot dead.
Danny Ridley was charged with alleged stealing offences in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack
Police allege Ridley stole Peter Meagher's (pictured) camera equipment after he was shot
Police raided a home in Marayong, in Sydney’s west on Wednesday and arrested Ridley
They allege he stole Mr Meagher's camera equipment before pawning it days later.
Ridley was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on 22 June.
News of his arrest comes just months after Mr Meagher's wife begged for his beloved Canon camera to be returned after it mysteriously vanished.
'As you all know, my husband Peter's life was tragically taken at Bondi on 14 December,' Virginia wrote in a Facebook post in March.
'It is now apparent that someone, other than a known authority, picked up his camera from Archer Park.
'I would very much like to have his camera returned... If you know anything about the Canon camera (as shown in these images), I'd love to hear from you. Thank you.'
Sydney locals were quick to share the widow's post across other community pages.
'It's hard to fathom someone would be that low, Virginia – I'm so sorry. I pray that decency prevails and it finds a way back to you,' one person wrote.
Mr Meagher was on assignment as a freelance photographer at the Chanukah By the Sea event when he was killed
Mr Meagher's wife Virginia (left) has begged for his beloved Canon camera to be returned
During a search of a car, police seized a small amount of white crystal powder and electronics
'That is appalling - sincerely hope they return Peter's camera to you!' another said.
Peter, who was the grandson of Wallabies Hall of Famer Wally Meagher, was a much-loved club figure of the Randwick Rugby Club and former first grade team manager.
The former NSW police officer was named the club's volunteer of the year in 2020.