Man, 20, charged with Greenacre carjacking
LJ Savea Wright, accused of carjacking a Mercedes AMG with two children in the car, has appeared at Campbelltown Local Court on Friday facing up to 48 years in prison if convicted.
Macarthur
Don't miss out on the headlines from Macarthur. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man accused of carjacking a Mercedes AMG with two children in the vehicle has appeared at Campbelltown Local Court on Friday facing up to 48 years in prison if convicted.
LJ Savea Wright, 20, and another unknown man allegedly met a heavily pregnant woman outside a Greenacre home to view an advertised black 2014 Mercedes AMG on Saturday afternoon.
Police allege the Campbelltown man went on a test drive with the 34-year-old woman and two children, aged 10 and eight.
After travelling less than a kilometre to the intersection of Maiden and Norfolk streets, police say the 20 year old then got behind the wheel of the Mercedes and drove away without the woman.
The two children remained in the car.
It is alleged the pregnant woman tried to grab hold of the moving car door and fell over, later receiving medical attention from paramedics.
Police claim Mr Wright stopped the car down the road and the children got out.
He was arrested at a Campbelltown address yesterday morning by officers from Bankstown Police Area Command and charged with three offences, including aggravated assault and detaining a person.
The Campbelltown man faces a maximum penalty of 48 years in jail if convicted of the combined offences.
Police prosecutor Mr McGee told Campbelltown Local Court today that it was a “planned, premeditated attack”, highlighting that Mr Wright had arranged the test drive in advance and was aware the alleged victim was heavily pregnant.
An application for bail was denied by Magistrate Ian Guy, despite the defence proposing a $2000 surety, the surrender of his New Zealand passport and conditions of not leaving his home unless for work or with parental supervision.
“(Mr Wright) faces, on any viewing, a very significant time of imprisonment,” Magistrate Guy said.
Mr Wright had about a dozen supporters fill the courthouse including his father, a pastor at a local church.
The matter will be next heard on May 22 at Bankstown Local Court.
Police are still searching for the second man and stolen Mercedes.
Why buyer paid record $900m for shop out west
The buyer who splurged the highest price ever paid for an Aussie retail site has revealed why the Western Sydney property is worth the money.
Rugby history! Australia’s rare result on New Zealand soil ‘special’
Rugby’s U18s rising stars have done something few other Aussie teams have managed in recent times - completing a shock and awe mission across the ditch for two wins. Stars, result wrap