Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Vergel Velasquez in Sydney's west last year.
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 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 at Moree earlier this month and seized 42 mobile phones.
As part of ongoing investigations, detectives executed three search warrants at homes in Moree from 8.30am yesterday (Thursday 14 May 2020).
During the searches, officers seized mobiles phones and a number of items relevant to the investigation.
A 49-year-old man was arrested and taken to Moree Police Station where he was charged with accessory after the fact wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police will allege in court that the man was the driver of the vehicle seen leaving the Girraween unit block after the assault in December last year.
He was refused bail to appear at Moree Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Brallo are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Brallo investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
