Arson Unit detectives are appealing for information after a man was allegedly assaulted and his business severely damaged by fire in Sydney's Inner West.
About 9.45pm on Thursday 29 December 2022, emergency services were called to an underground carpark on Northcote Street in Mortdale following reports of an assault.
Officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command found a 43-year-old man suffering serious injuries after allegedly being repeatedly hit with a baseball bat by three unknown men who then fled the scene.
The man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.
The next week – about 3am on Wednesday 4 January 2023 – emergency services were called to a restaurant on The Boulevard in Strathfield following reports of a fire.
Fire & Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze, which caused significant damage to the business.
An allegedly stolen black BMW was found alight on Portland Avenue in Enfield a short time later.
Officers attached to Auburn and Burwood Police Area Commands established crime scenes at both locations before detectives from State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad Arson Unit took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Crispe.
Strike force detectives are treating the alleged assault of the man, as well as the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, as linked.
It is further believed a number of those involved could have links to Organised Criminal Networks (OCN).
As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV of the unknown men who may be able to assist with the investigation and are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam vision around the time and place of either incident to contact police.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations under Strike Force Crispe are urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public are reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
