Rickard St, Merrylands: CCTV released after man kidnapped and stabbed

Detectives believe a man who was bundled into a white van and then stabbed in Sydney’s west was targeted for running an alleged fake vaccination certificate scam.

Police believe an alleged fake vaccination certificate scam and “related debts” are behind a violent daylight kidnapping in Merrylands.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have released vision as they appeal for public assistance following a kidnapping and stabbing of a 24-year-old man at Merrylands and Auburn in September.

A 24-year-old man was walking along Rickard St, Merrylands, when he was approached by five men and assaulted on Saturday, September 18, about 4pm.

Detectives believe the victim, who does not live on that street, was there for a prearranged meeting as part of the alleged scam offering counterfeit vaccination certificates in exchange for money.

“We believe this incident is a targeted attack and may relate to an (alleged) fake vaccination certificate scam and related debts,’’ Robbery and Serious Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis alleged.

“There was an exchange of money in relation to the fake vaccination certificates, that’s what we allege, and that’s where the debt comes into it.’’

Det-Supt Koutsoufis said the victim was known to police and he allegedly ran the scam in isolation.

Vision released after man kidnapped and stabbed Rickard St, Merrylands

The man told police he was driven to a vacant unit on Auburn Rd, Auburn, where he was detained for up to three hours, assaulted and stabbed.

“He was viciously assaulted during that period,’’ Supt Koutsoufis said.

“The exact nature of any demands is part of our ongoing investigation.’’

Police would not confirm if it was the same location that a shooting targeting a member of the Hamzy family took place in February.

Supt Koutsoufis allege the victim and the individuals involved could have gangland links.

“There may be some loose links with some of the individuals involved with some criminal networks but just to confirm, this incident here has no relation to any of the ongoing conflict that’s been well publicised,’’ he alleged.

CCTV footage shows the victim was forced into the rear of a white Toyota Hiace parked nearby.

During the incident, a black Toyota CH-R entered the street and was struck by one of the men holding an expandable baton.

The driver of the CH-R, who police believe is an associate of the victim, escaped by reversing and crashing into a boat before leaving the scene, causing significant damage to the vehicle and vessel.

The Hiace – containing the 24-year-old man and three of the men involved in the attack – left the scene in a southbound direction, with the two other men followed in a black Toyota HiLux.

Vision released after man kidnapped and stabbed Rickard St, Merrylands

The man was found by a member of the public with a stab wound to the shoulder on Wellington Rd, Birrong, about 7pm the same day.

He was taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment and has since been released.

Detectives from State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad formed Strike Force Reckon to investigate.

As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force detectives are appealing for public information and have the released mobile phone footage and CCTV vision of the incident.

All five men depicted in the footage are described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance.

The three men in the Hiace are further described – the driver is of medium build and last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, red shorts and black running shoes.

The front passenger is of a solid build and wearing a black jumper with a grey hood and red lettering on the sleeve, black track pants and pale-coloured joggers.

The other passenger is of large build, wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, black track pants, black running shoes and carrying an expandable baton.

Police are also seeking information about the two vehicles depicted in the footage, a white Toyota Hiace with NSW registration plates – BK59LG.

The two men in the HiLux are further described – the driver was wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, black track pants and black joggers.

The passenger was wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded-jumper, grey track pants and black joggers with white/red soles.

Detectives are also seeking information about the two vehicles depicted in the footage, a white Toyota Hiace with NSW registration plates – BK59LG; and a black Toyota HiLux with NSW registration plates – AMEBLD.

Police are seeking further information on a black Toyota HiLux with NSW registration plates – AMEBLD.

Det-Supt Andrew Koutsoufis urged the community to look closely at the vision and speak with police if they had any information.

“This is a brutal, brazen attack on a suburban street in broad daylight,’’ he said.

“(They were) obviously not thinking about the amount of CCTV footage that’s being captured in the front of homes, people with mobile phones.

“There’s people walking in the street. They obviously didn’t care too much about who was around at the time and completely unacceptable behaviour and it just won’t be tolerated.’’

Vision released after man kidnapped and stabbed Rickard St, Merrylands

He said the driver of the black Toyota C-HR would be crucial to the investigation.

“Anyone with information about the driver, or the location of the three vehicles which have not yet been recovered, is urged to come forward immediately,” Det Supt Koutsoufis said.

The driver of the Toyota C-HR is described as being a man of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with short hair, a black beard and last seen wearing a white hooded jumper.

Investigations under Strike Force Reckon are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Reckon detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.