Taskforce Falcon detectives have charged two men and two teenage boys for their alleged involvement in an arson attack under Strike Force Balthor.
Strike Force Balthor was established in July 2026 by State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad's Arson Unit, to investigate an alleged arson attack at a restaurant in Sydney's west.
About 2.10am on Friday 3 July 2026, emergency services were called to a business on Lyons Street, Strathfield, after reports of a fire.
Officers attached to Burwood Police Area Command responded along with Fire and Rescue NSW, who extinguished the fire.
The business – located beneath an apartment building – was damaged, causing residents to evacuate, but no injuries were reported.
Local police commenced an investigation before the matter was handed to State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad's Arson unit under Strike Force Balthor.
Following extensive inquiries, from about 7.40am yesterday (Tuesday 14 July 2026) strike force detectives – with assistance of Raptor Squad, Central Metropolitan Region Operations Support Group ODIN and Northwest Metropolitan Regional Enforcement Squad – executed five search warrants in Hurstville, Ramsgate, Mortdale, Bass Hill and Emu Plains.
Detectives arrested a 19-year-old man in Hurstville and a 21-year-old man in Mortdale.
They were taken to Kogarah Police Station, and both charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-not steal, destroy property in company use fire greater than $5000, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today (Wednesday 15 July 2026).
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in Ramsgate and taken to Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with attempted destroy property in company use fire greater than $5000 and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail to appear at a children's court today (Wednesday 15 July 2026).
A 17-year-old boy from Emu Plains was also arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with attempted destroy property in company use fire greater than $5000 and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail to appear at a children's court today (Wednesday 15 July 2026).
Strike Force Balthor 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.
