PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded vision of the arrest will be available via Hightail later today.
Robbery & Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged a man following the alleged kidnapping of a man from Mt Pritchard last month 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 & Serious Crime Squad were 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.
At the location, police recovered the 53-year-old man and arrested and charged a teenager, who remains before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, about 1.40pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 March 2026), strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – arrested a 20-year-old man in Penrith.
The man was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with take/detain in company with intent to ransom occasion actual bodily harm, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 12 March 2026).
Police will allege in court the man was one of the group of men who kidnapped the 53-year-old from Mt Pritchard.
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.
