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Jonathon Kim: Lidcombe man charged over Canterbury kidnapping

A man who allegedly kidnapped someone in an effort to secure $100,000 has faced court after being arrested during a week-long police operation targeting those with outstanding warrants.

A man allegedly involved in a violent kidnapping in Canterbury last year, where the victim was allegedly held to ransom, has appeared in court.

Jonathon Kim, 30, of Lidcombe, has been charged with kidnapping and assaulting Woo Jae Kang in the company of three other unknown offenders, in the hope of obtaining $100,000.

The ordeal allegedly took place in Canterbury in April 2021 and Kim was arrested in March as part of NSW Police’s Operation Persistence.

Kim fronted Burwood Local Court this week, flanked by a supporter, and the court heard more forensic and police statements were being waited on by the prosecution, resulting in an adjournment of six weeks.

Kim is charged with detaining someone to gain an advantage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. No plea has yet be entered.

Operation Persistence was an extensive and intensive one-week police campaign across Sydney’s south-west in March, targeting outstanding warrants. A total of 84 people were arrested as part of the operation.

Kim was arrested in March after he identified himself on NSW Police social media pages and took himself to Auburn Police Station where he was then arrested. He was wanted on an outstanding warrant relating to the Canterbury kidnapping.

Operation Persistence led to 87 arrests across the one-week campaign across Sydney’s south-west
Operation Persistence led to 87 arrests across the one-week campaign across Sydney’s south-west

Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser, who led the operation, thanked the community for their assistance, with a number of arrests resulting from information provided to Crime Stoppers.

“Operation Persistence not only included active patrols and 430 doorknocks, but statewide public appeals which resulted in eight people handing themselves in due to information provided to us by members of the public,” Det Supt Glasser said.

“I would like to thank the public for coming forward with information – not only does this help us ensure those responsible for crimes are held to account, but it also shows that no matter how insignificant you may think the information is, it may be the piece that leads to an arrest.”

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-express/jonathon-kim-lidcombe-man-charged-over-canterbury-kidnapping/news-story/90dec0ceea416e3436d46b2f54a9c7c2