Man injured after being struck repeatedly with hammer in violent Bankstown robbery

A man is in a coma after, it is believed, he was beaten with a hammer during a vape deal gone wrong, then tasered by police when he was unco-operative.

A man is in a coma after it’s believed he was beaten with a hammer during an illegal vape deal gone wrong in Sydney’s south west.

An industrial complex on Canterbury Road, Bankstown became a crime scene on Thursday night, after a 57-year-old man was assaulted during an alleged trade of illegal tobacco and vapes.

Emergency services at Canterbury Rd in Bankstown on Thursday night. Picture: TNV

Police were initially alerted to the incident around 7pm on Thursday night, after a member of the public called triple-0, reporting that men armed with guns were breaking into a property.

NSW Police Acting Commissioner Brett McFadden said officers sprung into action, arriving at the scene within 10 minutes.

Several people fled the scene before officers arrived, including one man dressed in black, who was caught on CCTV as he sprinted down Canterbury Road before jumping on a bus.

When police arrived at the complex, they located a 57-year-old man, who allegedly failed to follow police instructions, and was tasered as a result.

It’s understood the man had been attacked by several others with a hammer, and had suffered several injuries.

“It was reported the offenders were armed with firearms and police have responded to that level of threat,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

The man was rushed to hospital in a serious condition, and remained in a medically induced coma on Friday afternoon.

The warehouse complex on Canterbury Rd, Bankstown. Picture: TNV

Police are now investigating whether any of the warehouses within the complex were being used as a front for the distribution of vapes and illegal tobacco.

“(Officers) attended a particular unit and located a pantech truck, we are trying to ascertain the links between the vehicles and the units,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

A business owner within the complex said they were “absolutely chocked” by the incident, and worried about potential illegal activity in warehouses.

A man who was tasered by police was taken to hospital. Picture: TNV

“We are hardworking people, we don’t want crime here,” they said. “It’s frightening, pretty scary.”

A second man, aged 44, was arrested at the scene on Thursday, and taken to Bankstown Police Station, however it’s understood he is not cooperating with police.

The man was rushed be to hospital in critical condition. Picture: TNV

Forensic police and detectives remained at the scene for most of Friday and a number of items have been seized for forensic examination - including the Pantech truck and several other vehicles.

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