Robbery and Serious Crime Detectives have charged a man with alleged kidnapping and firearm offences under Strike Force Ballanya.
Just before 1pm on Thursday 2 March 2023, police were told a 39-year-old man was tasered and assaulted by three unknown men on Cameron Street Banksia.
The men – who were travelling in a stolen Ford Ranger utility – allegedly attempted to kidnap the 39-year-old before he was able to escape them.
Officers attached to St George Police Area Command responded, and the man was taken to hospital suffering burns, lacerations and bruising to his head. He has since recovered from his injuries.
A short time later, police located the Ford Ranger alight on Nattai Street in Banksia.
Local police commenced investigations before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Ballanya.
Following extensive inquiries, about 6.50am yesterday (Friday 15 December 2023), strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad, Organised Crime Squad, Drug and Firearms Squad, the Dog Squad and the Australian Federal Police – executed a search warrant in Millar.
During the search, officers located a firearm concealed under a concrete slab which was seized to undergo further forensic examination.
Police also located and seized six GPS tracking devices, 10 mobile phones, other electronics, number plates, a Toyota Hilux, fireworks, cannabis, $3,925 in cash, masks and gloves.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with 15 kidnapping and firearm offences, as well as driving offences relating to a separate incident. The charges include:
- kidnap in company with intent serious indictable occasion actual bodily harm,
- acquire etc prohibited firearm-subject prohibition order,
- possess unauthorised pistol,
- not keep firearm safely-pistol,
- fail to comply digital evidence access order direction,
- participate criminal group contribute criminal,
- steal motor vehicle,
- possess instructions for manufacture etc of prohibited drug,
- goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle),
- possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance,
- possess prohibited drug,
- police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously,
- never licensed person drive vehicle on road,
- driver fails/refuses to disclose his/her identity, and
- fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 16 December 2023).
Investigations under Strike Force Ballanya continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators 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.
