Two Charged after alleged kidnapping of two people who were located near Swan Bay

Police in New South Wales have sounded the alarm over a rise in gang-related abductions, confirming two men have been charged with the alleged carpark kidnapping of a couple that resulted in the amputation of a man’s finger.

The alleged kidnapping of the man and woman occurred in a carpark at about 11.40am, in January, in Fairfield, western Sydney.

It is one of five confirmed or suspected kidnappings this year alone.

Police allege on January 18 two men wearing balaclavas grabbed the man, 26, and a woman, 24, and forced them into a vehicle.

The pair were walking towards a carpark on Court Road when they were taken.

Two days later they managed to escape from a location at Swan Bay, about 25km north-east of Raymond Terrace and called a family member who contacted police.

The man was treated for a finger that had been amputated, and the pair were taken to John Hunter Hospital.

Earlier this month, detectives under Strike Force Bultje executed two search warrants at two homes in Smithfield and Cartwright from 6.45am.

Two men, aged 24 and 25, were arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where they were charged with multiple offences.

“Police will allege in court the pair were taken to a location at Swan Bay where they were held against their will,” police said.

“The older man was also charged with one count of damage property by fire for a separate incident, where a Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown towards a home.”

Both men were refused bail when they appeared at Fairfield Local Court earlier this month.

They will reappear before Parramatta Local Court on Monday 1 May 2023.