Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged an additional man over his alleged role in a kidnapping in Fairfield earlier this year.
About 11.40am on Wednesday 18 January 2023, a 26-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were walking towards a carpark on Court Road in Fairfield, before two men wearing balaclavas grabbed the pair and forced them into a vehicle.
The vehicle then exited the carpark and was last seen travelling west along The Horsley Drive.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad were notified and commenced an investigation under Strike Force Bultje.
About 12.15am on Friday 20 January 2023, the pair escaped a location at Swan Bay – about 25km north-east of Raymond Terrace – before calling a family member who contacted police.
Local officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and assessed the pair before they were taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment. The man’s finger was severed during the incident.
In April 2023, two men were arrested and charged in relation to the kidnapping and remain before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 10am today (Monday 3 July 2023), strike force detectives arrested a 25-year-old man at a Correctional Centre in Silverwater.
The man was charged with two counts of being an accessory before the fact to take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and conceal serious indictable offence.
He will appear in Fairfield Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 4 July 2023).
Police will allege in court the man and woman were taken to a location at Swan Bay where they were held against their will.
Investigations under Strike Force Bultje continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
