Iverson Norman Fuatimau, Joseph Mike Pesa, Lofu Namulauulu charged over alleged St Helens Park home invasion

Police raced to a home in St Helens Park after an alleged home invasion and public shooting. Three men have been charged over the incident, and two remain in custody on remand.

One man has been released on bail while two remain in custody on remand after they were caught allegedly fleeing the scene of a home invasion in Sydney’s southwest.

About 3.45pm on Wednesday, emergency services were called to Fullerton Circuit, St Helens Park, following reports of an alleged home invasion.

Police will allege in court that at least two men broke into the home and threatened the occupants with firearms, demanding cash.

A shot was fired during the confrontation; however, no one, including the occupants – three men aged between 18 and 19 – was physically injured during the incident.

The armed men allegedly stole property from the home including mobile phones, tablets, and handbags, as well as one of the occupant’s vehicles, which was driven from the scene along with another vehicle.

Officers responded and stopped the vehicles a short distance from the home and arrested three men.

During a subsequent search of the men and the vehicles, police located a pistol, a replica Glock, cannabis, and property including mobile phones and a number of handbags.

Officers also located a homemade bolt-action pistol in a nearby grass area. All items were seized and will undergo forensic examinations.

Iverson Norman Fuatimau, 22, fronted Campbelltown Local Court via video link on Thursday and applied for bail after being charged with one count of specially aggravated break and enter with intent.

Police were called to Fullerton Circuit, St Helens Park, following reports of an alleged home invasion. Picture: Google Maps

The police prosecutor told the court she opposed bail for Fuatimau due to concerns over risk to the community, the serious nature of the offence and failure to comply with conditions.

She said the charge, if convicted, carries a 20-year custodial sentence.

The prosecutor told the court that the “only inference that can be drawn is this offender was entirely aware of what was happening”.

“He is entirely cognizant and aware of the seriousness of the situation he put himself in … there was a firearm in the vehicle,” she said.

“There has been public outcry ... for a matter of weeks asking the government to do something in relation to public place shootings.

“The police are able to stop the vehicle before the evidence was destroyed ... there is no bail condition that could alleviate the unacceptable risk ... the community has had enough.”

Defence solicitor Elias Tabchouri said Fuatimau told him he did not know what was going to happen.

“He’s the person who drove them there therefore he falls into the events by way of joint criminal enterprise,” he said.

“They have to show he had actual knowledge of was going to happen ... he is not one of the persons who is said to have possession of the firearms … or go into the home.”

Mr Tabchouri said there is no evidence of where the firearms were located and if Fuatimau knew of their existence. He said the young man had no criminal history, strong community ties with a close-knit family and was also battling severe mental health issues.

Mr Tabchouri said Fuatimau had been signed on by the Balmain Tigers and injuries he had sustained had led to serious mental health concerns.

Campbelltown Courthouse

He proposed strict bail conditions to alleviate any concerns.

Magistrate Trevor Khan said he agreed with the submission that Fuatimau was not “central to the offending” but that the alleged offending was very serious.

He said taking into account Fuatimau’s lack of criminal history, his strong community ties and his vulnerability due to his age and mental health issues that bail would be granted.

Fuatimau will be under house arrest and will only be able to leave for medical or legal appointments in the company of his parents. He must also report to police three times a week.

Lofu Namulauulu, 25, was taken to hospital to be treated for an unrelated injury, where he remains under police guard. He has been charged with specially aggravated break and enter with intent and using an unauthorised pistol.

He has also been charged with take or detain people in company with intent to obtain advantage, with police alleging he deprived two young men of their liberty.

Namulauulu’s solicitor Lisa Munroe told the court he was extremely unwell and she had been unable to get instructions from him.

Magistrate Khan adjourned his matter to Friday where a bail application will be made.

Joseph Mike Pesa, 24, also appeared at court after being charged with specially aggravated break and enter with intent armed with dangerous weapon but did not make any application for bail and remains in custody on remand. He is due to return to court on July 20.

None of the accused men have entered pleas in relation to the alleged offence.