Two teens charged after Sydney TikTok personality’s alleged kidnapping

Two teenagers have been charged over their alleged involvement of two kidnappings following an assault of a TikTok personality and cafe owner in Sydney’s west.

Jacob Najjar was kidnapped from a unit on Grazier St in Lidcombe and held for almost 24 hours, before being dumped at Bonnet Bay.

Two teenagers have been charged over their alleged involvement of two kidnappings following an assault of a TikTok personality and cafe owner Jacob Najjar.

The 36-year-old owner of the Thirsty Monkey cafe chain was allegedly assaulted and forced into a vehicle from a unit along Grazier St, Lidcombe on November 4.

He was found almost 24 hours later nearly 30km away on Lower Washington Drive, Bonnet Bay, with facial injuries and was taken to Sutherland Hospital in a stable condition.

Police established Strike Force Rowallan to investigate, linking the incident to the alleged kidnapping of a 44-year-old man from a shop on Park Rd, Regents Park, on October 6.

Following further inquiries, detectives carried out a search warrant at Yagoona on Wednesday and arrested 18-year-old James Dillon.

Jacob Najjar was kidnapped from a unit on Grazier Street in Lidcombe and held for almost 24 hours, before being dumped at Bonnet Bay.

Detectives also executed a search warrant and arrested a 17-year-old boy.

Both were taken to Bankstown police where they were charged with four offences including two counts of taking or detaining in company with intent to ransom occasioning actual bodily harm, taking or detaining a person in company with intent to ransom and participating in a criminal group.

Dillon appeared before Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday where his previous bail conditions issued for an unrelated matter were revoked.

His matter was adjourned for mention on December 19 at Bankstown Local Court.

The 17-year-old was refused bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday.

Detectives also arrested two men aged 28 and 30, and a 17-year-old boy at Regents Park on November 10.

The eldest man was charged with two counts of kidnapping, bodily harm, conspiracy to kidnap, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.

The younger man and the teenager were charged with two counts of kidnapping, bodily harm, breaking and entering, two counts of contributing to a criminal group, conspiracy to kidnap, and two driving offences.

Thirsty Monkey previously posted a video on its TikTok account showing Mr Najjar back at work following his alleged ordeal.

“Thank you for everyone’s concerns, Jacob is fine and he’s back at work, people spreading fake news, trying to get some viewers & following on this app,” reads the video caption.

Inquiries under Strike Force Lutetium continue.