Homicide Squad detectives have charged four men with murder as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Vergel Velasquez in Sydney’s west last year.
About 4pm on Monday 30 December 2019, emergency services were called to a unit block on Mia Mia Street, Girraween, following reports a group of men had been involved in a physical altercation.
Upon arrival, officers located a man with severe head injuries in the stairwell of the complex.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition, where he died from his injuries about 5.20pm the following day (Tuesday 31 December 2019).
The man has since been formally identified as 42-year-old Vergel Velasquez.
Inquiries into the incident were commenced by officers from Cumberland Police Area Command before detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Brallo.
As part of ongoing investigations, officers executed search warrants at units at Granville and homes at Moree earlier this year.
A 49-year-old man was arrested by strike force investigators on Thursday 14 May 2020. He was charged and remains before the courts.
Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested three men – aged 41, 42 and 50 – and re-arrested a 49-year-old man at Moree from 10am today (Tuesday 23 June 2020).
All four men were taken to Moree Police Station and charged with murder.
They were all refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court tomorrow (Wednesday 24 June 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Brallo are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Brallo investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
