Three men have been charged and a criminal syndicate dismantled as part of an ongoing investigation into several alleged extortions, kidnappings, firearms and drug-related offences.
Just before 9pm on Thursday 11 July 2019, two men attended a home on Warwick Street, Hurstville, and demanded cash from the female occupant. When the 48-year-old woman refused, the men threatened her and became aggressive, before leaving the area.
In a second incident, about 8pm on Thursday 18 July 2019, emergency services were called to the same home following reports a luxury boat, which was parked in the driveway, was on fire.
The blaze was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW, however, the boat, valued at more than $150,000, was destroyed.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist forensic officers, with a knife being located and seized nearby.
In a third incident, about 10am on Tuesday 23 July 2019, a man attended the same Hurstville home and demanded money from the 48-year-old occupant, before punching her in the face.
Initial inquiries into the incidents were conducted by officers from St George Police Area Command, before detectives from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad took carriage of the investigation under Strike Force Shaughnessy.
During the ongoing investigation, police received information about an alleged kidnap for ransom of a 36-year-old man at The Boulevard, Lakemba, about 9am on Thursday 25 July 2019.
The man was taken to an unknown location, repeatedly assaulted before being dumped back at Lakemba.
Investigators also uncovered information about an alleged break and enter at a business in Condell Park, the unauthorised possession of a handgun and large commercial supply of cocaine between August 2019 and January 2020.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), executed four search warrants at homes at Casula, Greenacre, Punchbowl and Milperra from 6am today (Thursday 23 April 2020).
During the operation, three men – aged 25, 46 and 51 – were arrested.
The 25-year-old Greenacre man taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with damage property by fire, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, and aggravated break and enter.
The 46-year-old Casula man was also taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with 11 offences including;
- damage property by fire,
- assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- aggravated break and enter,
- possess tobacco/seed/plant/leaf 500 kilograms or above,
- possess unauthorised pistol,
- possess unregistered firearm,
- not keep firearm safely,
- possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority,
- acquire etc pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order,
- supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity),
- do act etc intending to pervert the course of justice.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today.
The 51-year-old Punchbowl man was taken to Bankstown Police Station charged with possess unauthorised pistol, possess unregistered firearm, not keep firearm safely, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and acquire etc pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Shaughnessy are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Shaughnessy investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
