Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a man accused of planning and coordinating the alleged kidnapping of a man from Mt Pritchard under Strike Force Martinook.
About 6.15am on Tuesday 24 February 2026, officers attached to Fairfield Police Area Command received a report a 53-year-old man had been taken from outside a tobacconist on Meadows Road in Mt Pritchard.
Police were told four unknown males in balaclavas approached the man before assaulting him and forcing him into a Hyundai hatchback.
State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad was notified and commenced a covert operation to recover the victim under Strike Force Martinook.
On Thursday 26 February 2026, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – attended a property in Dural, where police recovered the 53-year-old man.
A teenager and two men have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 10.20am yesterday (Thursday 21 May 2026) strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – arrested a 33-year-old man in St Marys.
A short time later, the Public Order and Riot Squad assisted detectives in executing a search warrant at a home on Canberra Street, Oxley Park, seizing items relevant to the investigation.
The 33-year-old man was taken to St Marys Police Station where he was charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasioning actual bodily harm, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, destroy property in company use fire greater than $5000 and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Friday 22 May 2026).
Strike Force Martinook inquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
