Police searching for 10 men following Wakeley church riot in wake of stabbing attack
Police have released images of 11 people who they believe can assist with inquiries following a riot, which broke out after a bishop was stabbed in southwest Sydney.
NSW
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A fourth person has been charged in the wake of last week’s riot outside a church in Wakeley after NSW Police released images of 11 people they wanted to speak to on Monday morning.
A 23-year-old St Clair man - who was one of the 11 - presented to Fairfield police station on Monday afternoon where he was charged with rioting and attempted aggravated break and enter with intent.
He will face Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday.
Assyrian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel were injured in a stabbing attack, as the religious leaders delivered a live-streamed mass at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church just after 7pm last Monday.
Strike Force Dribs – which includes more than 100 officers and specialist police, was established to investigate the violent incident.
The stabbing was declared a terror attack. A 16-year – old boy, was restrained by members of the church, before being arrested by police.
However, a large crowd converged on the church, with the stabbing accused, and emergency service workers inside.
The angry mob outside the church descended into chaos, with a number of emergency workers injured in a riot.
The riot that followed has led to three men been charged for their alleged role. All three are before the courts.
The teenager accused of the stabbing was charged with a terrorism offence on Thursday.
Detectives have now released images of men they want to speak with, who they believe may be able to help with their investigations.
The men they allege were involved in the riot are referred to as Person A to Person L, with any members of the public who have information urged to call Crime Stoppers and identify them by the corresponding letter.
The first man is described as being of caucasian appearance, medium build, with a tattoo of Jesus Christ on his stomach and a full tattoo sleeve on his left arm.
He is shown wearing black jeans that cut off at the ankle, black belt, dark coloured shoes and a black shirt wrapped around his face.
The second man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with receding dark brown hair and a beard.
He is shown wearing a black jumper, grey pants, black shoes and carrying a grey shoulder bag.
The third man is described by police as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with short black hair and beard.
He is shown wearing a grey V neck shirt, dark jeans and white shoes.
The fourth man is described as being of medium build and is shown wearing a grey hooded jumper, grey shorts, black socks and white shoes.
The fifth man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, muscular build, tan complexion, with a dark coloured beard.
He is shown wearing a Nike hat, black singlet, grey cargo pants and white shoes.
The sixth man is shown wearing a T-shirt, a ring and a watch on his left hand and carrying a cross.
The seventh man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance and is shown wearing a black jumper with yellow writing, a white hat and white shoes.
The eighth man is shown wearing a T-shirt and carrying a fire extinguisher.
The ninth man is described as having short dark hair and a beard and is shown wearing a hooded jumper, dark pants and a black shoulder bag.
The tenth man is described as being of large appearance, bald with a goatee and shown wearing a dark jumper with writing around the collar.
The eleventh man is described as having his hair in braids and having a dark beard and is shown wearing a black hooded jumper, tracksuit pants and socks with slides.
The twelfth man is shown wearing a dark singlet, dark shoes and light-coloured shorts.
Strike Force Dribs Commander, Superintendent Andrew Evans said while there were a large number of people involved in the riot, these particular individuals are being targeted by detectives due to the violent and aggressive nature of their actions.
“We are doing everything we can to identify these men and are now appealing for public assistance,” Superintendent Evans said.
“Someone in the community knows who they are.”
The bishop at the centre of the incident – who is widely known and popular on social media, released a statement last week, delivering a message to his attacker from his hospital bed.
“What has happened to me personally, I thank the Lord Jesus who sent a huge blessing for me and I forgive whoever has done this act,” the Bishop said.
“I say to him, you’re my son, I love you and I will always pray for you.
“And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well in Jesus’ mighty name.”
This comes as police crack down on knife crime in Sydney, with a major police operation conducted across the state last week, resulting in the seizure of over 50 knives.
Operation Foil – which ran on Thursday, saw more than 800 officers charge 145 people with weapon related offences, including seizure of a firearm with 51 people arrested over outstanding warrants. Police made 170 drug detections, issued 1065 traffic infringement notices and 410 rail infringement notices.
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