Four charged after Hawkesbury mayor stabbed, two homes broken into

Four teenage boys have been charged over two break ins including one which saw the Hawkesbury Council mayor stabbed in the arm in a suspected case of mistaken identity. 

Four teenagers have been charged following an investigation into a number of aggravated home invasions in Sydney’s northwest, one which left a local mayor in hospital.

On May 16, Hawkesbury Council Mayor Pat Conolly was stabbed in the upper left arm when a group of men invaded his Bligh Park home about 12.45am.

Mr Conolly, 32, was taken to Westmead Hospital, while his wife and four children were also home at the time but escaped uninjured. 

About 11:20am on Tuesday, Strike Force investigators and Raptor Squad officers executed a search warrant at a Macquarie Fields home as part of extensive inquiries into two aggravated break ins.

Four young males – one aged 16, two aged 17, and one aged 18 – were arrested and charged with a string of offences.

All of them were charged with robbery in company while armed with dangerous weapon, special aggravated break and enter and steal motor vehicle among other offences.

The 18-year-old was refused bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court today, while the younger boys were both remanded in custody to appear at a children’s court today. 

Patrick Conolly, the mayor of Hawkesbury Council, has been taken to hospital after being stabbed when up to six men broke into his home.

It comes as Mr Conolly's two children are said to have hid in the bushes while he was stabbed during the alleged home invasion in the early hours of May 16, which investigators have treated as a case of mistaken identity.Initial police investigations suggested the attackers were meant to target another home on the same street.

A source close to the Conollys said soon after the incident “the entire family is really shaken up.”

“Two of the children were hiding in the bushes – they were terrified,” they said.

In a statement, NSW Police said the attackers fled in the family’s car, sparking  a major manhunt.

“Police are investigating after a man was stabbed in the arm after a reported home invasion near Windsor this morning,” a spokeswoman said.

“Officers from Hawkesbury Police Area Command were called to a Porpoise Cres in Bligh Park about 12.45am on Monday in response to reports several men had forced their way into the home.

Patrick Conolly with his wife and children.

“Police found a 32-year-old man with a stab wound to his left upper arm. He was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

“Police have been told between five to six men forced their way into the home and threatened the male occupant, before he was stabbed.

“The men then left the scene in the family’s white Skoda with a few personal items. Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact NSW Police or Crimestoppers.” 

Some sources close to Mr Conolly said there were initially fears the attack may have been linked to political tensions, which have been heightened in the region in recent times.

Last week a man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a Liberal campaign volunteer in a dispute over campaign signage.

One local who did not wish to be identified said that he and his wife were scared to put Coalition signage in their yard.

“We are in Macquarie and the atmosphere up here is such that for the first time ever we have refused to put Liberal posters in front of our main road property for fear of reprisals,” he said.

In a Facebook post Monday, Liberal candidate and local councillor Sarah Richards said, “My thoughts and all my love is with my dear friend Patrick, and his family, after the terrifying home invasion overnight.”

“I wish him a speedy recovery and will be beside him every step of the way through this awful time.”