Eight men have been charged over their alleged roles relevant to the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mehmet Yilmaz at St Marys last year, NSW Police say.
Mr Yilmaz, aged 29, was shot a number of times outside a home on Brisbane Street, St Marys, about 7.20pm on Friday 9 September 2016. He died at the scene.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Estop to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Yilmaz’s murder.
The investigation also involves officers from the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor.
Their joint inquiries revealed Mr Yilmaz was kidnapped and assaulted in the weeks before his murder.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on Thursday 21 September 2017, and charged in relation to the alleged kidnapping and assault. He was refused bail and will next appear at Central Local Court today.
Since Tuesday (3 October 2017), five men have been arrested at correctional facilities and taken to local police stations.
A 28-year-old man was charged with murder, direct criminal group, and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
A 25-year-old man was charged with murder and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
A 31-year-old man was charged with murder and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court Friday 20 October 2017.
A 25-year-old man was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Friday 3 November 2017.
A 28-year-old man was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court Friday 1 December 2017.
From 5am today, Strike Force Estop investigators, with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor, the Public Order and Riot Squad, and the Dog Unit, executed six search warrants at Blackett, Meadowbank, Mt Druitt, Stanhope Gardens, St Marys, and The Ponds.
Two men – aged 28 and 46 – were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations.
The 28-year-old man was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and participate in a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
The 46-year-old man was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage and occasion actual bodily harm, and wound with intent. He was refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court later today.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Jason Dickinson, said this week’s operation is the result of more than 12 months of meticulous investigation.
"The Homicide and Gangs Squads have been working side-by-side to determine the circumstances surrounding Mr Yilmaz’s death and suppress further acts of violence," Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
"Earlier in the investigation, Strike Force Raptor seized 84 firearm and more than 12,000 rounds of ammunition, and the Drug Squad seized more than $400,000 worth of illicit drugs."
Investigations under Strike Force Estop are continuing and further arrests are expected.
Det A/Supt Dickinson said the collaborative investigations by the Homicide and Gangs Squads are ongoing.
"Detectives are continuing to explore links between a number of shooting murders, which include OMCG members and their associates.
"Each investigation has current and active lines of inquiry. We are not giving up; it’s only going to be a matter of time before arrests are made.
"I’d urge anyone who has knowledge relevant to the investigations to come forward," Det A/Supt Dickinson said.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist investigators to call Crime Stoppers.
