‘Shot in eye, buried alive’: Police probe six days of carnage
When a man with a gunshot wound crawled out of a grave and collapsed at a servo it triggered a police probe that could link his case – along with the death of a young father and the kidnapping of another man – to a Victorian drug syndicate.
NSW
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Police believe a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate known for severing the ears of its hostages could be linked to the case of a man who was shot and buried alive as well as the the murder of young father Richard “Dylan” Choup and the kidnapping of another man in Canley Vale.
The 23-year-old man, covered in dirt and suffering a gunshot wound to the eye, stumbled into a Queensland service station, on Tamborine Street in Jimboomba, before collapsing, on July 21 last year.
The man, wearing all black, initially visited the counter before making his way to the hot food section.
Once there, the victim was seen hunched over, leaning on a bench where he eventually collapsed.
Although the man asked staff not to call emergency services, after his collapse staff dialled triple-0, a statement by NSW Police said.
He was taken to hospital “where it was established he had been shot through the eye and had a bullet lodged in his brain”, the statement said.
“Police believe the man was shot and buried, with those responsible likely unaware he crawled out of his shallow grave to seek help a short time later.”
Officers investigating this matter have now released CCTV of a white Hyundai Getz seen at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the NSW mid-north coast about 5.30am on Saturday July 20.
“Four male passengers are also captured on CCTV. One is believed to be the victim, which suggests he may have been picked up in NSW and driven to Queensland,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Homicide detectives are now hunting a “contract crew” they believe was responsible for a six-day period of carnage.
Three cases linked
Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi said police believe all three victims were a part of the Victorian drug trafficking syndicate.
He said police believe the situation went “wrong”, and the three highly violent incidents, which spanned across both NSW and Queensland, involved “common people”.
He said the same Audi was used in both the alleged attempted murder of the man who collapsed at the service station in Queensland and the death of Mr Choup.
“I can tell you that we believe the persons involved (are linked) to all three instances,” Supt Douehi said.
“The relevance of the Audi is it was also later used in the suspicious disappearance of Mr Choup.”
Supt Douehi said the cutting of ears was a calling card of the Victorian syndicate and linked the three incidents.
“Unfortunately it’s been seen quite often as part of their torturing technique,” Supt Douehi said.
Both victims have cooperated with police to a minimum, with Supt Douehi telling media they are “talking to us to a certain extent”.
Strike Force Hallet was established by State Crime Command to investigate those allegedly responsible for all three incidents.
Police said the three incidents occurred over “six days of carnage” and may be linked to a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate.
They have now released vision of a number of men they would like to speak to about the incidents, but who are not accused of any wrongdoing.
Images posted in a Go Fund Me page to support Mr Choup’s family show him as a doting father of a young child.
Death of Rich ‘Dylan’ Choup
Police were called to bushland off a busy road in Sydney’s south after reports a body had been found by trail bike riders.
About 4.40pm on Saturday, August 31 police were called to Heathcote Rd, Lucas Heights where they found the remains of Rich ‘Dylan’ Choup, 32.
Mr Choup was reported missing to police on Monday, July 29.
“A post-mortem confirmed Mr Choup had been fatally shot and that the top of his right ear had been severed,” a police statement said.
Mr Choup was last seen about 6.10pm on Thursday July 25 in Cabramatta, where he told friends he had a meeting and asked they wait nearby.
About 6.25pm, CCTV captured Mr Choup meeting with a man on Railway Parade, who appeared to reprimand and slap him.
Both men are then seen walking towards a grey Audi SQ2.
A man wearing a black tracksuit with a pair of white Asics, spotted with Mr Choup can be seen slapping the 32-year-old before he was found dead.
The CCTV appears to show the man speaking aggressively at him, before getting his phone out and frequently pointing at him.
The man of interest looked as though he was directing Mr Choup to his car, where footage shows the victim proceed to make distance from the man.
“As inquiries continue, police have released CCTV of the grey Audi SQ2 – potentially the same vehicle used in the kidnapping in Canley Vale a week earlier,” the police statement said.
Detectives have also released CCTV of a white Lexus and white Audi RS3.
“The two males captured in the CCTV, seen allegedly moving the vehicles before and after Mr Choup’s disappearance are also of interest to police.”
In a Go Fund Me which had raised $41,000 before it stopped accepting donations, the page’s organiser made no mention of the Mr Choup’s cause of death.
“We are deeply saddened at the loss of our beloved friend, father and son, Dylan Choup, who has tragically passed away,” the fundraiser said.
“Taken far too soon, Dylan leaves behind his loving partner, and seven-month-old baby boy.
“This is a devastating time for all, but particularly for his family.”
The fundraising page said: “Anyone that had the privilege to meet Dylan will know he had a huge heart and always puts others before him.
“He was the glue to many, committed to bringing all those around him together. His compassion, loyalty, generosity, humour and positive energy will never be forgotten.
“Together as a community, we can show (his partner) and their baby that they are not alone during this difficult journey and help them adjust to their new life.”
Anyone with information about the vehicles or the men in the CCTV are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Kidnapping and torture of a man in Canley Vale.
A man was allegedly kidnapped and tortured, including having his ear severed, on July 19 last year in Canley Vale.
The 31-year-old was released by his captors later that day.
“Although the incident was not reported to police, detectives executed a crime scene warrant on Thursday October 10 at a Canley Vale property where the man is believed to have been held,” a statement from NSW Police said.
“During the search, police located a box cutter which was seized for further forensic analysis.”
Detectives probing the incident have released an image of the box cutter, as well as CCTV of two vehicles — a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf — travelling in convoy at the intersection of Freeman Ave and Sackville Street in Canley Vale around the time of the incident.
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