Three men have been taken into custody following a series of “excessively violent” home invasions in Sydney’s south-west that left two women hospitalised. New South Wales police confirmed on Friday that a 20-year-old, a 19-year-old, and an 18-year-old have been charged over the terrifying attacks in Arncliffe and Bankstown.
The police operation culminated on Thursday evening when officers from the Sex Crimes Squad, supported by the tactical riot squad, executed search warrants at properties in Belmore, Punchbowl, and Greenacre at approximately 7:45pm.
The investigation began after officers were called to a home in Arncliffe at midnight on Tuesday. Authorities allege that a group of men forced entry into the residence, threatened a 31-year-old woman with a knife, sexually assaulted her, and stole money. The victim, who did not know her attackers, was subsequently hospitalised with minor injuries.
Less than 48 hours later, at 12:30am on Thursday, police were called to a second home invasion at a unit in Bankstown. In this instance, three men allegedly forced their way inside, assaulted a 32-year-old woman, and stole cash. Like the first victim, this woman was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was previously unacquainted with the men.
Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Virginia Gorman described the crimes as calculated and specifically targeted. “I believe that these men had done some research and they believed that these women might be home alone and they might have money on the premises,” Det Supt Gorman told reporters.
Describing the acts as “very violent” and “excessively” aggressive, Det Supt Gorman revealed harrowing details regarding the victims’ treatment. “They were armed with a knife. They used duct tape to restrain them. They had duct tape over their mouths. They assaulted the women, punching a woman,” she said. “You don’t need to do that to overcome a solo female. The violence is over the top for what they’ve done.”
Following the raids on Thursday, police laid a series of serious charges. The 20-year-old man arrested in Belmore faces counts including aggravated break and enter, depriving a person of their liberty, choking, and common assault. The 19-year-old man from Punchbowl has been charged with aggravated break and enter, choking, and aggravated sexual assault. The 18-year-old man arrested in Greenacre faces charges of aggravated break and enter, choking, and common assault.
Det Supt Gorman vowed that the perpetrators would face the full force of the judicial system. “The offences are very serious … because the violence they committed was of the highest order,” she stated.
All three men were scheduled to appear in local courts on Friday. Police investigations into the incidents remain ongoing.
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