PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage of the Georges Hall arrest is available:
Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged three men after uncovering information about an alleged kidnapping in Sydney’s west earlier this year during an unrelated investigation.
Earlier this year, detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Brads to investigate the activities of a syndicate suspected to be involved in various criminal activities.
As part of their inquiries, strike force detectives uncovered information relating to an alleged kidnapping where a 21-year-old man was forcefully taken from a location in Bankstown in May 2022.
Following extensive inquiries, Cybercrime Squad detectives – with the assistance of the Raptor Squad – executed four search warrants at homes at Georges Hall, Bexley, Kingsgrove and Chipping Norton from about 6am yesterday (Thursday 1 September 2022).
Two men – aged 30 and 32 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Bankstown and Kogarah Police Stations.
The younger man was charged with conspiracy to take or detain person with intent to hold to ransom and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
Additionally, he was also charged by Raptor Squad officers attached to Strike Force Binit over his alleged role in the shooting of a 35-year-old man in Merrylands West about 8pm on Monday 1 August 2022.
He was refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday 3 November 2022.
The older man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, conspiracy to take or detain person with intent to hold to ransom, do act etc intending to pervert the course of justice and hinder investigation serious indictable offence of other.
He was refused bail and will appear before Sutherland Local Court today (Friday 2 September 2022).
A third man, aged 42, was served a Court Attendance Notice for the offences of conspiracy to take or detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage, take or detain person with intent to hold to ransom, and deal with property proceeds of crime more than $100,000.
He’s due to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Monday 12 September 2022.
Investigations under Strike Force Brads are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or . Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
