21 July 2023

Police charge four men over alleged extortion attempt in Griffith

| Shri Gayathirie Rajen
Man arrested following extensive inquires

Raptor Squad South Detectives have arrested four men and seized 17 firearms following extensive inquiries into the alleged extortion of a Riverina man. Photo: NSW Police.

NSW Police have conducted multiple raids across NSW and have charged four men following an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt on a Riverina man.

Raptor Squad South detectives with assistance from detectives attached to the Murrumbidgee Police Area Command and the NSW Crime Commission commenced an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt on a 50-year-old Griffith man in July.

Police said the Griffith man was allegedly approached by four men on numerous occasions, physically assaulted and threatened to hand over a sum of money.

Officers attached to Murray River Police District Traffic and Highway Patrol Command conducted a high-risk vehicle stop near Davey Road, in Table Top, where they arrested a 56-year-old man following extensive inquiries on Wednesday (19 July) at about 10:35 am.

The man was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal, aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, and participating in a criminal group. He was refused bail and appeared before Albury Local Court yesterday (20 July).

Raptor Squad South officers executed simultaneous search warrants at two Forbes addresses, where they arrested two men aged 44 and 50 at about 1:10 pm on Wednesday (19 July).

The men were taken to Parkes Police Station where they were both charged with demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal, aggravated robbery and inflicting actual bodily harm and participating in a criminal group. They were refused bail and appeared before Parkes Local Court yesterday.

A short time later, Raptor Squad officers and Bass Hill Regional Enforcement Squad executed search warrants at addresses in Merrylands and Guildford, where they arrested a 48-year-old man.

The man was taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with demanding property in company with menaces with intent to steal, aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm, and participating in a criminal group. He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court yesterday.

Following further inquiries, on Thursday (20 July), Raptor Squad officers executed two search warrants in Griffith and Stanbridge.

At the Stanbridge address, police seized 17 firearms and served a firearms licence suspension notice on a 55-year-old man.

Investigations are ongoing.

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