PLEASE NOTE: Mobile phone footage and CCTV vision of the alleged assault and kidnapping are available via – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/okxJ7lWh0y
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have released vision as they appeal for public assistance following a kidnapping and stabbing in Sydney’s west earlier this year.
Just after 4pm on Saturday 18 September 2021, a 24-year-old man was walking along Rickard Street, Merrylands, when he was approached by five men and physically assaulted.
The man was then forced into the rear of a white Toyota Hiace parked nearby.
During the incident, a black Toyota CH-R entered the street and was struck by one of the men holding an expandable baton.
The driver of the CH-R took evasive action, reversing through the street and crashing into a boat before leaving the scene, causing significant damage to both vehicle and vessel.
The Hiace – containing the 24-year-old man and three of the men involved in the attack – left the scene in a southbound direction. The two other men followed in a black Toyota Hilux.
The man was then driven to a vacant unit at Auburn Road, Auburn, where he was detained for several hours.
About 7pm the same day, the man was located by a member of the public with a stab wound to the shoulder at Wellington Road, Birrong.
He was taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commenced investigations into the incident under Strike Force Reckon.
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force detectives are appealing for public information and have released mobile phone footage and CCTV vision of the incident.
All five men depicted in the footage are described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance.
The three men in the Hiace are further described –
- The driver is of medium build and last seen wearing a black hooded-jumper, red shorts and black running shoes.
- The front passenger is of a solid build and wearing a black jumper with a grey hood and red lettering on the sleeve, black track pants and pale-coloured joggers.
- The other passenger is of large build, wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, black track pants, black running shoes and carrying an expandable baton.
The two men in the Hilux are further described –
- The driver is wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, black track pants and black joggers.
- The passenger was wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, grey track pants and black joggers with white/red soles.
Detectives are also seeking information about the two vehicles depicted in the footage, a white Toyota Hiace with NSW registration plates – BK59LG; and a black Toyota Hilux with NSW registration plates – AMEBLD.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis urged the community to look closely at the vision and speak with police if they have any information.
“This is an extremely violent and brazen attack that occurred on a suburban Sydney street on a Saturday afternoon,” Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
“This kind of behaviour has no place in our community and these men must be brought to account. We believe this was a targeted attack and appeal to the public for any information that may assist detectives.
“Inquires suggest that the occupant of the black Toyota C-HR, with NSW registration plates EBJ43A, is known to the injured man and would have information crucial to this investigation.
“Anyone with information about the driver, or the location of the three vehicles which have not yet been recovered, is urged to come forward immediately,” Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
The driver of the Toyota C-HR is described as being a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with short hair, a black beard and last seen wearing a white hooded-jumper.
Investigations under Strike Force Reckon are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Reckon detectives 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.
