Police have arrested and charged six more people over alleged violent crimes on public transport across Sydney under Operation Waratah.
Operation Waratah was established in July 2024 by officers attached to Police Transport Command to target offenders involved in violent crimes including assaulting elderly passengers, intimidating public transport workers, and sexual touching offences.
To-date, Operation Waratah has resulted in more than 230 arrests and over 400 charges.
As part of the investigation, in July 2024 police released images appealing for information about 15 separate incidents under investigation.
In late July and early August, police arrested two men, who are currently before the courts.
Following further inquiries, six more men have been arrested and charged:
- About 8.30pm on Saturday 17 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Kingswood Railway Station following reports of an assault. On arrival police were told a man had allegedly smashed a glass bottle over a teen's head before assaulting multiple people on a carriage as the train passed by Werrington Railway Station. Following inquiries, police arrested a 41-year-old man at Sydney Domestic Airport on Thursday (12 September 2024). He was granted conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday (8 October 2024).
- About 5.45pm on Tuesday 9 January 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Winston Hills following reports an unknown man had assaulted a bus driver. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly punched the driver in the face while the vehicle was moving before fleeing the bus. Following inquiries, police arrested a 23-year-old man in Castle Hill on Wednesday 31 July 2024. He was taken to Castle Hill Police Station where he was charged with common assault. He was granted conditional bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 21 August 2024 where he was granted conditional bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 25 September 2024.
- About 1.30am on Friday 6 January 2024, officers attached Police Transport Command were called to Strathfield Railway Station following reports a man had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly verbally threatened another man before assaulting him multiple times on a train between Ashfield Railway Station and Strathfield Railway Station. Following inquiries, on Wednesday 31 July 2024 a 36-year-old man was charged with affray. He was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday (10 September 2024). He is due to reappear at the same court on Tuesday (24 September 2024). It will be alleged in court the incident may have been racially motivated.
- About 8pm on Thursday 14 December 2023, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Kiora Road, Miranda, following reports a bus driver had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly punched a bus driver in the back of the head while the driver was inspecting his vehicle. Following inquiries, police arrested a 46-year-old man in Kings Cross on Saturday 31 July 2024. He was charged with common assault and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm. He was issued court attendance notice to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 19 September 2024.
- About 5.50pm on Tuesday 20 February 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Revesby Railway Station following reports a woman had been assaulted. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly pushed a woman out of a lift before kicking and hitting her in the face. Following inquiries, police arrested a 51-year-old man in Panania on Monday 2 August 2024. He was charged with travel or attempt travel without valid ticket, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 5 September 2024. He will reappear at the same court on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
- About 2.20pm on Friday 28 July 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command were called to Fairfield Railway Station, following reports a man had assaulted a woman. Police arrived and were told a man had allegedly shoved a woman towards the railway tracks before pulling her hair and punching her in the face. Following inquiries, police arrested a 43-year-old man on Monday 2 August 2024. He was issued court attendance notice for common assault and will appear at Fairfield Local Court on Friday 27 September 2024.
As inquiries into crimes committed on public transport continue, police have released images of a number of people who may be able to assist with their investigations. Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
