Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged two people over their involvement in two alleged kidnappings earlier this year under Strike Force Lutetium.
Just before midnight on Saturday 4 November 2023, emergency services were called to a unit on Grazier Street in Lidcombe, following reports a 36-year-old man had been assaulted and forced into a vehicle.
About 11pm the following day (Sunday 5 November 2023), the man was found on Lower Washington Drive, Bonnet Bay, suffering facial injuries.
He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Sutherland Hospital in a stable condition.
Investigations revealed the incident was linked to the alleged kidnapping of a 44-year-old man from a shop on Park Road in Regents Park on Friday 6 October 2023. He was returned home the following day suffering minor facial injuries.
Detectives from Robbery and Serious Crime Squad established Strike Force Lutetium to investigate and charged three people who remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, about 6.25am yesterday (Wednesday 6 December 2023), strike force detectives – with assistance from South West Metropolitan Operations Support Group – executed a search warrant at Yagoona where they arrested an 18-year-old man.
About 7.45, strike force detectives executed a search warrant in Condell Park where they arrested a 17-year-old boy.
Both were taken to Bankstown Police Station where they were charged with four offences including
two counts of take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, take/detain person in company with intent to ransom, and participate criminal group.
The 18-year-old was refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court yesterday.
The boy was refused bail to appear before a children’s court today (Thursday 7 December 2023).
Inquiries under Strike Force Lutetium continue.
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.
