Police arrested a man earlier today who is allegedly responsible for shooting a man in both his legs at Londonderry last week.
Earlier this week, the NSW Police Force, in partnership with the NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Federal Police (AFP), established Taskforce Erebus to investigate a spate of recent murders and other serious organised crime.
The Taskforce is being led by State Crime Command (SCC) under the National Organised Crime Response Plan and will include an additional 60 full-time investigators from NSW Police, as well as detectives, analysts, and other resources as part of a bolstered multi-agency response.
As part of operational activity under Task Force Erebus, operatives from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) arrested a 31-year-old man at a home in Schofields about 10am today, Tuesday, May 17.
The man was arrested over his alleged role in the shooting of another man in Sydney’s north-west earlier this month.
Police will allege that during that incident, which occurred about 9pm on Tuesday, May 10, a 37-year-old man was found inside a home at Londonderry suffering gunshot wounds to both of his legs.
The injured man was taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment and has since been released.
An extensive search of the area was conducted with the assistance of the Dog Unit and PolAir, which led to the discovery of a loaded 9mm pistol and several other items of interest in nearby bushland.
Additionally, Raptor Squad investigators located a white Isuzu utility on Carrington Road.
All items seized underwent forensic and ballistic examinations.
The man has since been taken to Riverstone Police Station and charged with discharge firearms intend cause grievous bodily harm, special aggravated break and enter commit serious indict offence – inflict grievous bodily harm, and acquire pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order.
Police will allege in court the man – who is a member of the Finks OMCG – was responsible for the shooting at Londonderry earlier this month.
The Schofields man was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said operational activity under Task Force Erebus is underway, with a specific focus on members and associates of organised criminal networks, including outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs).
“We established Taskforce Erebus earlier this week in response to the recent violence which has plagued south-west Sydney and it was made clear arrests would swiftly follow,” Commissioner Webb said.
“This morning, we have executed a number search warrants and as a result, seized numerous firearms and arrested seven people for a range of serious offences – all allegedly members or associates of OMCGs.
“I want the community to be reassured operations under Erebus have a long way to go, and we will inflict further damage on these criminal networks in the days and weeks to come.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said there were no signs of police slowing down when it comes to tackling organised crime.
“These arrests are just the tip of the iceberg. Police will be in their face, disrupting their lives every second of the day,” Mr Toole said.
“Make no mistake; these are not ordinary people living ordinary lives. They are violent criminals and deserve to be locked up.”
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
