Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged seven men over their alleged roles in the kidnapping, detaining, and stabbing of a man in Sydney's west last 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 assaulted.
The man was then forced into the rear of a white Toyota Hiace van parked nearby.
During the incident, a black Toyota CH-R SUV 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 van – 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 utility.
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 at Wellington Road, Birrong, with a stab wound to the shoulder. He was taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment and later released.
Detectives from State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commenced investigations into the incident under Strike Force Reckon.
Following extensive investigations, and a public appeal for information, strike force detectives executed two search warrants at homes at Catherine Field and Pheasants Nest on Thursday 30 December 2021.
During the searches, police seized more than $14,000 cash, cocaine, mobile phones and documentation.
A 23-year-old Pheasants Nest man was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, deemed supply – possess prohibited drug trafficable quantity, and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
A 20-year-old Catherine Field man was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
Both men appeared at Parramatta Bail Court, where they were formally refused bail to reappear at Fairfield Local Court on Thursday 17 February 2022.
As part of ongoing investigations, detectives executed a further two search warrants at homes at Condell Park and Thirlmere yesterday (Tuesday 25 January 2022).
During the searches, police seized a number of items relevant to the investigation.
Following further inquiries, two men – both aged 27 – were arrested on Dargan Street, Yagoona, about 2.15pm and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
Two further men – aged 21 and 24 – were arrested at Bankstown Police Station about 3.45pm.
All four men were charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
Another man also aged 27, who was extradited from Queensland yesterday, was also charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.
All five men have been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Wednesday 26 January 2022).
Detectives from the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Parbery also charged the 27-year-old Condell Park man with two counts of solicit, encourage, persuade etc to murder, four counts of shoot at with intent to murder, two counts of supply prohibited firearm to unauthorised person, fire firearm in or near public place and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
These charges relate to his alleged role in a public place shooting outside a gym at Prospect on Monday 29 November 2021.
