Man charged after alleged assault on rideshare driver in Sydney’s northwest

A man has been charged after two men were wanted for allegedly assaulting a rideshare driver and stealing his car in Sydney’s northwest. Watch the arrest.

A man has been charged with assaulting a rideshare driver and stealing his car after being picked up in Sydney’s northwest.

Police were called to the intersection of Kindelan and Gibbon roads in Winston Hills shortly before 1.30am following reports of an assault.

Officers were told a 49-year-old driver accepted a booking from two men, both aged 23 and known to each other, at a property in Box Hill just after 12.30am.

It will be alleged that during the journey one of the passengers became aggressive towards the driver whilst the second passenger attempted to clam the situation.

Police allege the driver was directed to make several stops, including a service station in Rouse Hill where the pair purchased food, before he was allegedly attacked at Winston Hills.

Kindelan Rd at Winston Hills where a rideshare driver was allegedly assaulted overnight. Picture: Sunrise

The driver managed to run from the vehicle, leaving his mobile phone inside, and sought help from a nearby home.

The occupants of that home called triple-0.

The men allegedly drove from the location in the rideshare vehicle – a white 2018 VW Tiguan.

Paramedics treated the 49-year-old at the scene before he was taken to Blacktown Hospital in a stable condition with head and facial injuries.

Following inquiries, the driver’s phone was located damaged in a drain along Lambert Place in Winston Hills just after 8am.

Shortly after, the vehicle was recovered abandoned on Junction Rd in Winston Hills where it was seized for forensic examination.

Police arrest a man at Winston Hills after a manhunt. Picture: NSW Police

Police then searched a home in Lanhams Rd in Winston Hills where a man, who police will allege assaulted the driver, was arrested.

Officers located a small fire in the backyard during the search which was extinguished by firefighters.

It will be alleged that at the source of the fire was the man’s mobile phone and clothing items that were worn by him at the time of the incident.

The man was taken to Parramatta Police Station.

The man was allegedly involved in attacking the rideshare driver. Picture: NSW Police

It will be alleged he drove the ride share vehicle from the scene and that he is the holder of a learner’s drivers’ licence.

Whilst in custody the man allegedly hindered officers in obtaining a forensic sample from his hands.

He was charged with five offences including:

Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-inflict actual bodily harm

Aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm

Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester

Tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal

Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty

The Winston Hills man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday.

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