Homicide Squad detectives have seized 42 mobile phones at Moree as investigations into the serious assault and death of a man in Sydney’s west last year continue.
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 later 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.
Last month, strike force detectives executed two search warrants at units at Granville and seized a white Holden station wagon at Moree.
Following the release of CCTV vision of six men and a public appeal for information, strike force investigators executed a further search warrant at a home on Mehi Crescent at Moree from 4pm last Friday (1 May 2020).
During the search officers seized 42 mobile phones and other items relevant to the investigation.
All items seized will undergo forensic examination.
As investigations into the death of Mr Velasquez continue, police are continuing to appeal for anyone in the community with information to come forward.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Brallo detectives to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
