Two men and a woman will face court today charged over an alleged kidnapping in the Illawarra region.
About 12.30pm on Monday (11 May 2020), two men – aged 28 and 29 – attended a service station on the corner of Five Islands Road and Lake Avenue, Cringila, and met with three people that were known to them.
Police will allege the men were kidnapped and taken to a home in Cringila – where the younger man was allegedly assaulted.
The matter was reported to police by family members a short time later.
Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District, with assistance from the State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, commenced inquiries under Strike Force Iola.
Strike force investigators were notified after the two men were released about 3.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 12 May 2020).
Following extensive inquiries, investigators stopped a silver Volkswagen Station Wagon in a car park on Carters Lane, Towradgi, about 6.20pm yesterday.
Three of the occupants of the vehicle – two men, aged 42 and 43, and a 35-year-old woman – were arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
A short time later a crime scene warrant was executed at a home in Cringila, and a number of items seized for forensic examination.
The trio were all charged with kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 42-year-old man was also charged with deal with property proceeds of crime.
All three have been refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 13 May 2020).
Investigations under Strike Force Iola are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
