Eight people have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into an explosion that injured a woman in Sydney’s Inner West earlier this year.
About 11.20pm on Monday 8 June 2020, a woman was inside her home on Robert Street, Canterbury, when she noticed a fire on the front balcony.
The woman walked outside to investigate and when she tried to extinguish the fire, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded.
The 55-year-old woman was treated at the scene, before being taken to Concord Hospital for treatment of burns to her face, arms, and chest.
A 19-year-old man who was also home at the time was uninjured.
Detectives from Burwood Police Area Command established Strike Force Shalimah to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with assistance from Auburn, Fairfield and Campsie Police Area Commands and Central Metropolitan Region ODIN, attended homes across Sydney from about 7am today (Thursday 13 August 2020).
Nine males – aged between 17 and 20 – were arrested and taken to local police stations.
Search warrants were executed at three homes in Zetland, Concord and Fairfield, where officers seized quantities of prohibited drugs, clothing, phones and other items relevant to the investigation.
A 19-year-old Yagoona man was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with cause explosive to explode with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm and passenger not disclose drivers/other passengers’ identity. He was refused bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 13 August 2020).
A 19-year-old Punchbowl man was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with cause explosive to explode with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 13 August 2020).
An 18-year-old Croydon Park man was charged with cause explosive to explode with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm.
A 19-year-old Concord man was taken to Burwood Police Station, where he was charged with cause explosive to explode with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm.
They were both refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court today (Thursday 13 August 2020).
A 17-year-old Zetland boy was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part in supply prohibited drug – small & indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug – indictable & commercial quantity, and two counts of possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear at a children’s court tomorrow (Friday 14 August 2020).
A 19-year-old Malabar man was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug – small & indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug –indictable & commercial quantity, two counts of possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
An 18-year-old Wattle Grove man was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with take part supply prohibited drug – small & indictable quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug –indictable & commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug.
A 20-year-old Zetland man was charged with cause explosive to explode with intent to maim/do grievous bodily harm, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug – small & indictable quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable & commercial quantity, possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
They were all refused bail and are due to appear at Central Local Court tomorrow (Friday 14 August 2020).
An 18-year-old man was later released without charge, pending further inquiries.
Investigation under Strike Force Shalimah are ongoing.
Anyone with information that can assist Strike Force Shalimah investigators are urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
