Two men will face court today charged following an investigation into an alleged kidnapping in the state’s south.
About 5.30am Sunday (19 January 2020) a 24-year-old man was sleeping in a unit in South Albury when he was woken by a group of people entering the room.
Police will allege in court a firearm and tomahawk were used to threaten the man, who was then forced into the back of a black Holden Cruze.
The car travelled to Mungabereena Reserve, where the man was allegedly assaulted with the tomahawk.
The man fled through bushland before jumping into the Murray River.
A short time later, a fisherman saw the man and called police.
Officers from Murray River Police District attended and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The man was taken to Albury Hospital by NSW Ambulance paramedics with minor injuries.
About 12pm Monday (20 January 2020), with the assistance of Victoria Police, a 24-year-old man was arrested at a Wodonga address.
Shortly after, a 22-year-old man was allegedly seen to be driving a black Holden Cruze in Albury and Wodonga.
Following extensive inquiries, about 5.10pm the 22-year-old man was arrested at a home in Wodonga. The man’s vehicle was searched, with officers seizing a firearm located in the driver’s door pocket.
Both men were refused bail and extradited to NSW yesterday (Tuesday 21 January 2020).
The 22-year-old man was charged with;
– kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasioning actual bodily harm,
– specially aggravated enter dwelling with dangerous weapon, and
– two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others
The 24-year-old man was charged with
– kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasioning actual bodily harm,
– specially aggravated enter dwelling with dangerous weapon,
– possess unregistered firearm,
– carry firearm manner likely to injure person, and
– assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others.
Both men have been refused bail and are due to face Albury Local Court today (Wednesday 22 January 2020).
