Detectives from the from State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad and Robbery and Serious Crimes Squad have arrested multiple men allegedly involved in burning down businesses, invading homes and committing armed robberies across Sydney.
About 4.30am on Monday 22 July 2024, emergency services were called to Haldon Street, Lakemba, following reports of a café on fire.
Fire and Rescue NSW officers arrived and extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported.
A crime scene was established and, following inquiries, the fire was treated as suspicious due to reports men were seen fleeing the scene of the blaze.
As investigations continued, detectives attached to State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit established Strike Force Normanton to investigate the fire as investigators believed the arson was linked to organised crime.
About 2am on Friday 30 August 2024, police were called to a home on Westwood Street, Prairiewood, following reports of a home invasion.
Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command arrived and were told a group of men – all wearing face coverings and armed with pistols – forced their way into the home and threatened a 50-year-old woman and two young girls – aged 8 and 10 – before stealing cash and jewellery.
No one was injured and a crime scene was established to investigate the incident.
As investigations continued, detectives attached to State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Cambridge to investigate the armed home invasion.
In September 2024, detectives from both investigations identified that the same group of men were allegedly responsible for both the fire and home invasion and were linked to a large-scale Sydney Organised Crime Network (OCN) and commenced a joint investigation into both incidents.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and Tactical Operation Unit – executed multiple search warrants across Guildford, Greenacre and Bankstown about 6am on Thursday (12 September 2024).
During the searches, strike force detectives located and seized electronic devices and personal items believed to have been used in the offence.
Three men were arrested during the searches – a 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old man, both from Guildford – who were taken to Granville Police Station, and a 29-year-old Greenacre man who was taken to Bankstown Police Station.
All three men were charged with special aggravated break and enter with intent armed with dangerous weapon, robbery in company, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 23-year-old man was also charged with destroy property with fire, and the 20-year-old man was also charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
They were all refused bail. The older man appeared before Bankstown Local Court on Thursday (12 September 2024), and the two younger men appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Friday (13 September 2024).
Following further investigations, strike force detectives extradited a 27-year-old man from South Australia to Sydney on Friday 13 September 2024.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was also charged with special aggravated break and enter with intent armed with dangerous weapon, robbery in company, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 27-year-old was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 14 September 2024.
Detectives will allege in court the men worked together during the crimes which were conducted on behalf of a larger OCN.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, SCC Financial Crime Squad Commander, said these attacks were targeted and stemmed from larger OCNs operating in Sydney.
"What we are seeing in Sydney is that organised crime networks are parcelling out jobs to these smaller crews in order to keep themselves clean.
"My message is simple. To anyone considering working for criminal syndicates – don't. Our officers are tirelessly working around the clock to identify you and bring you before the courts." Det Supt Arbinja said.
Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi, SCC Robbery and Serious Crime Commander said police will endeavour to arrest and charge groups that continue to cause terror in Sydney.
"No one should feel afraid or be threatened in their own home, especially young children. While these attacks were targeted, I want the public to know that we will not stop in pursuing these criminals who feel it is their right to commit these crimes.
"For those small-time groups who engage in these needless violent crimes on behalf of other criminals, know you are facing the full might of the NSW Police Force," Det Supt Doueihi said.
Investigations under both Strike Force Cambridge and Strike Force Normanton continue, with further arrests are expected.
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.
