Hamzy associate allegedly kidnapped by four men before police pursuit

A reported Hamzy associate was allegedly assaulted and kidnapped by a group of four men outside his Sydney home.

Four men have been arrested and a police car damaged after a wild pursuit through Sydney’s northern beaches on Sunday morning. The incident happened just before 10pm when the car containing the four men finally came to a stop near Starkey St in Forestville. Picture: 9News

A group of men accused of abducting a reported associate of the Hamzy crime network outside his Sydney home will apply to be released from custody.

Talonoa Leaaetoa, Henry Kupa, Erica Hema and Sonny Siope Puleiku did not face Hornsby Local Court on Monday as their charges were mentioned for the first time.

The group of four, aged between 19 and 25, were pursued and intercepted by police following the alleged abduction on Sunday.

While they did not appear in court as the matter was adjourned, their lawyer, Mahmoud Abbas, told media it was “far too early to make a determination” as to what is going to happen in the future.

Four men have been charged and a police car damaged after a wild pursuit through Sydney’s northern beaches on Sunday morning. Picture: 9News

Mr Abbas confirmed the men would be making an application for release.

“It is far too early to make any determination as to what the evidence is, but once all the relevant material is released, we will make a determination and proceed from there,” he told media.

Mr Abbas was yet to contact his clients as he left court but said he was “sure they’re fine”.

“At this stage it’s an allegation and everyone is entitled to the right of silence and presumption of innocence,” he said.

The four men are accused of assaulting Rodrigo Henriquez and forcing him into the back of a Toyota HiLux outside his Oyama Avenue home in Manly about 9.30am Sunday.

The men did not appear in court on Monday when the matter was mentioned. Picture: 9News

NSW Police quickly found the vehicle more than 20 minutes away on Warringah Rd where they attempted to stop it before beginning a pursuit when it allegedly refused to stop.

A police car was allegedly rammed during the pursuit.

According to court documents, the HiLux was a stolen car and all four men were wearing face coverings with the “intent to commit an indictable offence”.

The men allegedly used “unlawful violence towards the victim” which caused him to “fear for his personal safety”, the documents state.

Officers used road spikes to stop the HiLux at Forrestville before finding five men in the car.

Mr Henriquez, 39, was found with injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The remaining four men were arrested and taken to Manly Police Station before they were charged by detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad and Northern Beaches Police Area Command.

Police set up a crime scene around the property following the alleged kidnapping. Picture: 9News

Mr Leaaetoa, Mr Kupa, Mr Hema and Mr Puleiku were each charged with kidnap in company with intent serious indictable occasion – actual bodily harm; participating in a criminal group contribute criminal activity; be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner; face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence; and affray.

Mr Leaaetoa, 24 and from Sefton, was also charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly; and use of an offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention.

Court documents claim police allege Mr Leaaetoa had known police officers were in pursuit of his vehicle and that he was “required to stop the vehicle” but did not.

Police allege he also drove the car in a dangerous manner and used the vehicle to “prevent the lawful apprehension of himself and the co-accused”.

The matter was adjourned to Manly Local Court in March.

Originally published as Hamzy associate allegedly kidnapped by four men before police pursuit