Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a seventh person for their alleged involvement in the Mt Pritchard kidnapping earlier this year.
About 6.15am on Tuesday 24 February 2026, officers attached to Fairfield Police Area Command received a report a 53-year-old man had been taken from outside a tobacconist on Meadows Road in Mt Pritchard.
Police were told four unknown males in balaclavas approached the man before assaulting him and forcing him into a Hyundai hatchback.
State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad was notified and commenced a covert operation to recover the victim under Strike Force Martinook.
On Thursday 26 February 2026, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – attended a property in Dural, where police recovered the 53-year-old man.
A teenager and five men have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, just before 11am yesterday (Monday 27 July 2026) strike force detectives arrested an 18-year-old man on Waikanda Crescent, Whalan.
He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with take/detain in company with intention to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 18-year-old man was refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court today (Tuesday 28 July 2026).
Investigations under Strike Force Martinook are ongoing.
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.
