Party boat millionaire Joe Elias targeted for kidnap

Police say a staged car accident on party boat owner Joe Elias was planned for days and the millionaire businessman barely escaped. The attempted abduction is one of a string police are investigating.

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Two men planned to try to kidnap Sydney businessman Joe Elias by crashing into his car and hold him for ransom, police alleged on Wednesday.

Police said a Hilux ute crashed into Mr Elias’ car at Drummoyne on Friday­ afternoon. It is alleged the plan was to then snatch the businessman, the brother of former­ NRL star Ben Elias, when he got out of his car. However, Mr Elias escaped down a nearby side street.

Joe Elias as he enters his business All Occasion cruises in Pyrmont last year 2019. Picture: Damian Shaw

Property developer Mr Elias, who owns a number of Sydney Harbour party boats, hit headlines last year when a passenger was overcome by fumes that leaked into a toilet — an incident Mr Elias said was not his fault.

Two men were arrested on Wednesday in connection with Friday’s incident and an alleged $4 million ransom plot last November when Pierre Kassouf was grabbed from his panelbeating premises and taken to a property in nearby Shanes Park, where he was later found clinging to life.

“People are being held against their will in frightening circumstances,” acting Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said.

Police escort an arrested man into the station.

Early on Wednesday police executed four search warrants at a rural residence at Luddenham, a business at St Marys and homes at Bungarribee and Mt Pritchard and arrested two men.

“A number of items were seized for forensic testing including two handguns,” Supt Taylor said.

Penrith Local Court later heard police will allege Ali Abdulrahman, 39, of Luddenham, oversaw both the kidnapping of Mr Kassouf and attempted kidnapping of Mr Elias.

Another man, 40, of Mt Pritchard was on Wednesday charged over both incidents, while a third co-accused was denied bail last month after his arrest in relation to Mr Kassouf’s kidnapping.

A man is arrested over an alleged kidnapping for ransom. Picture: NSW Police

Two handguns were seized for testing. Picture: NSW Police

The men’s lawyer argued the case was weak against Abdulrahman.

“These two gentlemen are employed by my client, but he has a business with 15 employees,” he said. Abdulrahman and the 40-year-old were refused bail and will face court again in May.

Originally published as Party boat millionaire Joe Elias targeted for kidnap