Detectives have charged a man over the alleged acquisition of a firearm as part of ongoing inquiries into an attempted kidnap for ransom in Sydney’s Inner West last year.
About 12.30pm on Monday 25 November 2019, two men entered a workshop on Links Road, St Marys, and allegedly assaulted a 36-year-old man using a firearm.
During the assault, the man was knocked unconscious before being kidnapped by the pair.
About 10.30am the following day (Tuesday 26 November 2019), the man was located in a shed on a property at Shanes Park by three members of the public, who contacted emergency services.
The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition and treated for a fractured skull and severe injuries to his head and body. He has since been released from hospital.
The State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, with assistance from Nepean Police Area Command, commenced inquiries under Strike Force Methuen.
During the investigation, police were made aware of the attempted kidnapping of another man about 4.40pm on Friday 6 March 2020.
Officers were told, two men attempted to force the man into a Toyota Hilux following an alleged staged two-vehicle crash on Victoria Road at Drummoyne.
The man resisted and was able to escape, before the two men fled the area on foot.
So far during the investigation, police have charged five men – aged 23, 27, 36, 39 and 40. They all remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, officers received information that a man – who was subject to a Firearms Prohibited Order (FPO) – had acquired an unauthorised firearm.
About 7am on Thursday 25 June 2020, strike force detectives, with assistance from North West Operations Support Group (OSG), conducted an FPO search at a home at Raspberry Crescent, Schofields.
A 23-year-old man was arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with acquire pistol – subject to firearms prohibition order.
The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Monday 17 August 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Methuen are continuing.
