Three Charged in Separate Sydney Home Invasions, One Woman Sexually Assaulted
Authorities have charged three men in connection with two alleged home invasions in Sydney's southwest, including an incident where a woman was reportedly held at knifepoint and sexually assaulted.
Three men have been charged after two women were allegedly attacked in separate home invasions in Sydney’s south-west. One woman was reportedly threatened with a knife and sexually assaulted.
The first alleged incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday at a home on Marinea Street in Arncliffe. Police state that a group of men forced their way inside, threatened a 31-year-old woman with a knife, sexually assaulted her, and stole money. She was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Approximately 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, police responded to reports of another home invasion at a unit on Jacobs Street in Bankstown. According to police, three men forced their way inside, assaulted a 32-year-old woman, and stole money. She was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Investigations by officers from Bankstown and St George Police Area Commands were later consolidated by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad under Strike Force Forela.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives, with assistance from specialist and local police units, executed three search warrants in Belmore, Punchbowl, and Greenacre around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday.
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Belmore and subsequently charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – deprive liberty; aggravated robbery and deprive person of liberty; two counts of choke person with intent to commit indictable offence; common assault; and use offensive weapon in company with intent indictable offence. He was taken to Burwood Police Station.
A 19-year-old man was apprehended in Punchbowl and charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – deprive liberty; two counts of choke person with intent to commit indictable offence; two counts of aggravated sexual assault – deprive liberty; aggravated robbery and deprive person of liberty; common assault; use offensive weapon in company with intent indictable offence; and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He was taken to Campsie Police Station.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in Greenacre and charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence – deprive liberty; aggravated robbery and deprive person of liberty; two counts of choke person with intent to commit indictable offence; common assault; and use offensive weapon in company with intent indictable offence. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station.
All three men were refused bail. The 20-year-old was scheduled to appear at Burwood Local Court on Friday, while the 19-year-old and 18-year-old were expected to appear at Bankstown Local Court. The charges remain before the courts.