Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a man for his alleged involvement in four kidnappings and an affray between June 2025 and April 2026.
About 10.30am on Sunday 22 June 2025, a 40-year-old man attended Hornsby Police Station to report a kidnapping.
Officers attached to Kuring-Gai Police Area Command were told the man had travelled with a 30-year-old man to a home on Potts Road, Ryde, at about 10am on Friday 20 June 2025.
Upon arrival, two unknown men approached the 40-year-old, allegedly assaulting and kidnapping him at gun point.
Police were told he was driven to an unknown address where he was assaulted by several unknown men, who demanded a ransom.
After some time, the man was returned to his vehicle in Hunters Hill about 7.15pm on Friday 20 June 2025, informing police two days later.
Local police commenced an investigation before the matter was taken over by State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, under Strike Force Hazelvale.
As part of investigations, two men have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
During those inquiries, a 26-year-old man was identified for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping.
Detective will also allege he was involved in the conspiracy to kidnap a man in Ryde in August 2025, the kidnapping of a man in Narwee in October 2025, conspiracy to kidnap a man in Condell Park in May 2026 and an affray in Alexandria in September 2025.
Following further inquiries, about 11.45am yesterday (Monday 6 July 2026), strike force detectives arrested a 26-year-old man in Randwick.
He has now been charged with 11 offences,
- Conspiracy to take/detain person with intent to hold to ransom (two counts)
- Take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm
- Take/detain person in company with intent to ransom
- Knowingly direct activities of criminal group
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
- Affray
- Fail to comply with DECCD access order direction
- Goods suspected stolen in/on premises
- Possess/attempt to, anabolic or androgenic steroidal agent (two counts)
The 26-year-old appeared in Bail Division Court yesterday, where he was again refused bail to re-appear in refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court 6 today (Tuesday 7 July 2026).
Strike Force Hazelvale inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
