PLEASE NOTE: Media on scene are asked to blur any plain-clothed police officers and refrain from filming any cars out the front of the property.
Robbery & Serious Crime Squad detectives have recovered a kidnapping victim and arrested one male following a police operation in Dural today.
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 & Serious Crime Squad were notified and commenced a covert operation to recover the victim under Strike Force Martinook.
About 10.30am today (Thursday 26 February 2026), strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – attended a property in Dural.
At the location, police recovered the 53-year-old man and arrested a 16-year-old male.
The 53-year-old man was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The 16-year-old was taken to Castle Hill Police Station where inquiries are ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident 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.
