Robbery & Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged four men following an investigation into an alleged kidnapping in Greenacre earlier this year.
About 8.30pm on Friday 17 February 2023, emergency services were called to Wentworth Street in Greenacre following a concern for welfare report.
Officers attached to Auburn Police Area Command attended and located a 30-year-old man with injuries to his hands, face and feet.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition.
A crime scene was established before the investigation was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Robbery & Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Merrilee.
Further inquiries revealed the man had been allegedly abducted and injured by a group of unknown men the day before. Investigations by strike force detectives confirmed that this abduction was linked to two similar incidents earlier that week.
On Monday 3 April 2023, detectives arrested an 18-year-old man in Schofields. He was taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion aggravated bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possess unauthorised pistol, and participate in criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared before Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday 4 April 2023.
On Monday 24 April 2023, detectives arrested 21-year-old man at Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with the same five offences as the 18-year-old man.
He was refused bail and appeared before Penrith Local Court the same day.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 7am on Saturday (18 November 2023), strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit and officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command – arrested two men, aged 25 and 24, in Bella Vista.
The men were taken to Riverstone Police Station, where they were charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possess unauthorised pistol, participate criminal group contribute criminal, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
They were refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court yesterday (Sunday 19 November 2023).
Police will allege in court the man was kidnapped due to conflict around an ongoing drug-related debt.
Investigations 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.
