Police have charged two men after they allegedly held a tenant against his will when he was unable to pay his rent due to the COVID crisis.
Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command have been told the tenant and a friend arrived at a rental property on Clifton Reserve, Surry Hills, about 3.30pm on Wednesday (17 June 2020), and were met by the property owner and another man.
The tenant, a 24-year-old man, told police he owed back-rent after getting into financial difficulties due to the COVID crisis, but believed he’d negotiated a payment plan with the property owner.
The tenant was met at the property by the two men who, police allege, threatened then assaulted him and prevented him from leaving the premises until he’d paid the outstanding rent in full.
After the tenant transferred funds, he and his friend were allowed to leave. They went immediately to Surry Hills Police Station and reported the incident.
Following inquiries, a 56-year-old man – who police allege is the property owner – was arrested about 10.30pm (Wednesday 17 June 2020), at Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with detain person for advantage.
He was refused bail overnight and appeared in Central Local Court yesterday (Thursday 18 June 2020), where he was conditionally bailed to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 13 August 2020
A 57-year-old man was arrested when he presented himself to Surry Hills Police Station about 5pm yesterday; he has now been charged with take/detain in company with intent to obtain advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.
He has been refused bail to appear in Central Local Court later today (Friday 19 June 2020).
