Charges laid after man was allegedly detained against his will

Five people have been charged in the Riverina following a major police operation.

Police said officers from State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, Traffic and Highway Patrol, Southern Regional Enforcement Squad and Riverina Police District conducted an operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised criminal networks between Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 March.

Riverina officers, with assistance from specialist officers, executed a search warrant at a premises in Northcote Parade, Mount Austin, at about 11:30 am on Wednesday (13 March).

During the search, officers found a 55-year-old male inside with injuries, who they will allege was detained against his will.

A 33-year-old male and a 40-year-old female were arrested at the scene and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station, where they were both charged with taking/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm.

The man was refused bail and the woman was granted conditional bail. They will appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on 5 May.

Police also conducted six firearm prohibition compliance (FPO) searches: in Patamba Street, Kooringal; French Place, Glenfield Park; Boree Avenue, Forest Hill; Adams Street, Ashmont; Hayes Street, North Wagga Wagga; and Giraween Mews, Glenfield Park.

Following the search, three people were arrested and charged with outstanding warrants.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Riverina, with assistance from Raptor Highway Patrol, issued 13 traffic infringement notices, detected one positive random drug test, and issued two defect notices.

Commander of Riverina Police District Superintendent Andrew Spliet said this week’s operation sent a strong message to people involved in criminal activity in the Riverina.

“This two-day operation has put a substantial dent in criminal activity in the Riverina Police District,” Superintendent Spliet said.

“This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last major compliance operation involving specialist police, including the Raptor Squad officers, to bolster the great work being done locally within the Police District to crack down on illegal activity in our communities.”

Commander of State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, said this deployment demonstrated the command’s commitment to tackling regional crime.

“Residents in regional NSW can expect to see more of Raptor Squad as we continue to take on various deployments and operations.

“These deployments – as well as through our fully fledged Raptor North and Raptor South squads – means Raptor have far-reaching capabilities tackling crime across the state.”

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.