35 people now charged over riots outside Wakeley church

A total of 35 people have now been charged over a riot that broke out after a religious leader was allegedly stabbed during a service in Sydney.

Detectives have now charged a total of 35 people over their alleged involvement in the riot that erupted near a church in Sydney’s southwest after a religious leader was allegedly stabbed during a service.

About 2000 people went to the area near the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley after a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel on April 15.

NSW Police on Wednesday confirmed 35 people have now been charged after Strike Force Dribs was established to investigate the large-scale public order incident.

A total of 35 people have been charged following a riot in Wakeley in April. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Detectives from the strike force accompanied officers from the North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group about 7am Wednesday to a unit complex on Grose St, Parramatta.

A 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with riot, cause grievous bodily harm to police – public disorder reckless as to actual bodily harm and throw missile at law enforcement officer-public disorder.

He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at an Austral property on Tuesday and charged with violent disorder and intimidate police. He remains before the courts.

Detectives have now charged a total of 35 people over their alleged involvement in the riot that erupted near a church in Sydney’s southwest. Picture: NewsWire handout

An 18-year-old man was also arrested on Tuesday at a Fairfield West property and charged with riot and destroy/damage property during public disorder.

Police allege the teenager threw a rock at a police vehicle during the alleged riot.

He also remains before the courts.

On Monday, police arrested a 22-year-old at Fairfield Police Station at 6.20am, before charging him with riot and destroy/damage property during public disorder.

He appeared before Fairfield Local Court on Monday and granted conditional bail.

Police will allege the 22-year-old jumped on a parked, fully marked police vehicle.

Police on Friday charged a 25-year-old at Fairfield Police Station and charged him with assault police officer during public disorder no actual bodily harm, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, cause grievous bodily harm to police – public disorder reckless as to actual bodily harm and riot.

A riot erupted in Sydney’s west after a bishop was allegedly stabbed on April 15. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Police will allege he assaulted a police officer. He remains before the courts.

NSW Police have continued to brief the public in relation to the incident, with the last press conference on June 14.

Police have issued multiple public appeals to help identify people allegedly involved.

“Can I say to anyone involved in the violent confrontation, you are better to come and see us than us coming to see you,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said in May.

Investigations under Strike Force Dribs are continuing.