Latest news with #JasonBox
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- RNZ News
NSW Police gangs boss sends message to wannabe teenage assassins
Superintendent Box says juveniles are willing to take part in serious crime for financial gain. Photo: ABC / Jack Ailwood By Lia Harris , ABC In more than 30 years on the NSW Police force, Detective Superintendent Jason Box has never seen a Sydney gangland war like this one. "I've never seen the willingness of juveniles to participate in such serious crime ... They're actively looking for opportunities to partake in this serious crime for financial gain, so that is concerning," Box said. As the head of Taskforce Falcon, which was formed earlier this year to combat the escalating underworld conflict across Sydney, Box told ABC News his team was working around the clock to end the violence. "This can't continue, people in the community being hurt for no reason, innocent persons being injured or killed, and young juveniles being utilised as pawns in this whole internal conflict," he said. "I hope this ceases sooner than later, and I hope we have an impact and an influence on that." There have been at least 14 suspected gangland shootings and stabbings across Sydney in the past four months, with several innocent people caught in the crossfire. Last month, two masked gunmen stormed an Auburn kebab shop in broad daylight and fired a hail of bullets in an attempt to kill a Sydney underworld figure, hitting and injuring an innocent employee. Taskforce Falcon is also investigating a series of gangland attacks dating back to December last year, including the shooting murder of 31-year-old David Khau at Canley Heights. "It's of great concern ... We've arrested a 15-year-old male who (allegedly) fired over 40 shots into two homes, and in one of those it just missed a sleeping five-year-old by centimetres," Box said. Shootings and a stabbing investigated by NSW Police under Taskforce Falcon. Photo: ABC / NSW police Since the taskforce's inception, more than 80 people have been arrested and more than 200 charges laid. To disrupt the violence, investigators have now carried out more than 2000 "taskings", including intelligence gathering, bail checks, patrolling hotspot areas, searching for suspicious cars and firearms prohibition enforcement checks. They have seized 15 guns and 50 vehicles they believe were staged and ready to be used in violent crimes. "We've recovered firearms, jerry cans, face coverings, locations, maps where offences were going to occur," Superintendent Box said. At least six underage teenagers have so far been charged by the taskforce for their alleged involvement in violent crimes, and police fear more youths are being recruited via encrypted apps and word of mouth. Box said organised crime groups were contracting young, inexperienced street gang members to carry out the attacks to ensure it can't be traced back to them. "They're expendable, these juveniles; the amount that they pay them is minimal compared to what they'd normally pay for these types of acts to be done. In reality, the task for a lot of them is to kill somebody," he said. "You're giving firearms to 14, 15-year-old kids ... so there's always the risk that they're going to panic, they're going to do things wrong. There's always a great concern that there will be error in their judgement." As his detectives work to prevent more attacks, Box had a message for any youths who may be in over their heads. "If they've been involved and have been captured in some type of organised criminal activity and they've realised that it's beyond them, that this is a lot bigger than they thought, the repercussions are enormous, their personal safety and that of their family is at risk, they can come forward and see us ... we'll do what we can to protect them," he said. "Going into custody is one thing, but being held accountable for their actions is something else, and it might not only be the courts, it might be the people that they've tried to harm. "There's a long reach of these people, these organised crime networks in jails and areas of custody, so there's nowhere that they're going to be protected if they're committing offences against these serious criminals; they really need to consider what they're doing." - ABC
ABC News
19-07-2025
- ABC News
NSW Police gangs boss sends message to wannabe teenage assassins
In more than 30 years on the NSW Police force, Detective Superintendent Jason Box has never seen a Sydney gangland war like this one. "I've never seen the willingness of juveniles to participate in such serious crime … They're actively looking for opportunities to partake in this serious crime for financial gain, so that is concerning," Superintendent Box said. As the head of Taskforce Falcon, which was formed earlier this year to combat the escalating underworld conflict across Sydney, Superintendent Box told ABC News his team was working around the clock to end the violence. "I hope this ceases sooner than later, and I hope we have an impact and an influence on that." There have been at least 14 suspected gangland shootings and stabbings across Sydney in the past four months, with several innocent people caught in the crossfire. Last month, two masked gunmen stormed an Auburn kebab shop in broad daylight and fired a hail of bullets in an attempt to kill a Sydney underworld figure, hitting and injuring an innocent employee. Taskforce Falcon is also investigating a series of gangland attacks dating back to December last year, including the shooting murder of 31-year-old David Khau at Canley Heights. "It's of great concern … We've arrested a 15-year-old male who (allegedly) fired over 40 shots into two homes, and in one of those it just missed a sleeping five-year-old by centimetres," Superintendent Box said. Since the taskforce's inception, more than 80 people have been arrested and more than 200 charges laid. To disrupt the violence, investigators have now carried out more than 2,000 "taskings", including intelligence gathering, bail checks, patrolling hotspot areas, searching for suspicious cars and firearms prohibition enforcement checks. They have seized 15 guns and 50 vehicles they believe were staged and ready to be used in violent crimes. "We've recovered firearms, jerry cans, face coverings, locations, maps where offences were going to occur," Superintendent Box said. At least six underage teenagers have so far been charged by the taskforce for their alleged involvement in violent crimes, and police fear more youths are being recruited via encrypted apps and word of mouth. Superintendent Box said organised crime groups were contracting young, inexperienced street gang members to carry out the attacks to ensure it can't be traced back to them. "You're giving firearms to 14, 15-year-old kids… so there's always the risk that they're going to panic, they're going to do things wrong. There's always a great concern that there will be error in their judgement." As his detectives work to prevent more attacks, Superintendent Box has a message for any youths who may be in over their heads. "If they've been involved and have been captured in some type of organised criminal activity and they've realised that it's beyond them, that this is a lot bigger than they thought, the repercussions are enormous, their personal safety and that of their family is at risk, they can come forward and see us … we'll do what we can to protect them," he said. "Going into custody is one thing, but being held accountable for their actions is something else, and it might not only be the courts, it might be the people that they've tried to harm. "There's a long reach of these people, these organised crime networks in jails and areas of custody, so there's nowhere that they're going to be protected if they're committing offences against these serious criminals; they really need to consider what they're doing."
7NEWS
02-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Two 15-year-old alleged gunmen charged after two Sydney homes fired at
A 15-year-old boy allegedly lured into Sydney 's criminal underworld has been charged after two homes were peppered with bullets, with police saying gunfire missed one child by just centimetres. The teenager is one of two juveniles charged following an investigating into shootings in the city's west this year. A semi-automatic rifle was used to blast at least 28 shots into a home on Crossland St in Merrylands in the early hours of March 22. A woman and her four children aged between six months and five years were inside at the time. 'Police will allege the bullets travelled through the bedrooms and bedheads where the victims were sleeping, with one bullet narrowly missing the five-year-old by approximately 20cm,' NSW authorities said. Police believe the home was wrongly targeted, with a threatening note left at the scene thought to have been intended for previous occupants who have alleged links to organised crime. A burnt-out Nissan X-Trail allegedly stolen in September 2024 was linked to the the shooting after being found torched on Chiswick St in South Granville soon after the home was shot at. 'This isn't a game' A 26-year-old woman at a flat on Faulds Rd in Guildford West was lucky to escape unhurt when a handgun was used to unleash 15 shots into her property just after 2am on April 16. Police believe the property was targeted because of the occupant's relationship with a man who has alleged links to the city's underworld. A stolen Hyundai Tucson was found on fire on Birmingham Ave in Villawood not long after the shooting. NSW Police said extensive inquiries via Taskforce Falcon, which was recently launched to quell violent crime in Sydney's metro area, identified a 15-year-old male as 'the alleged gunman in both instances'. He will appear in a Children's Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of firing at a dwelling — organised crime activity, four counts of damaging a property by fire or explosion, two counts of participating in criminal group activity, and driving stolen car. The teen was on bail at the time of the alleged crimes and has also been charged with breaching his conditions.. A second 15-year-old male accused of playing a role in the Merrylands shooting was also charged with firing at a home as part of organised criminal activity, among other alleged crimes. He will also appear in court on Wednesday. 'This isn't a game. Your actions are putting the lives of others at risk,' Taskforce Falcon Commander Jason Box said in a warning to young people considering joining Sydney's warring gangs. 'The outcome for you committing these serious acts of violence will be losing your freedom, your future and potentially your life. 'If you are involved with the organised criminal networks, come forward now before it is too late for you to do so.' Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.
West Australian
12-06-2025
- West Australian
Alleged Alameddine gangster Ali Elmoubayed targeted in Merrylands shooting
Fresh chaos has hit Sydney's criminal underworld, with three men now in custody for the apparent targeted shooting of a home linked to the alleged boss of the brutal Alameddine crime network in Australia. The shooting happened about 9.20am, with police officers called to the Earl St home in Merrylands in the city's west. Bullets were fired at the house, but nobody was inside at the time. Both the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald report Ali Elmoubayed, the alleged head of the Alameddine enterprise, is linked to the address but dodged the shooting after reportedly leaving beforehand for the Parramatta Magistrates Court to request a change of bail address. A short time later, a burning Porsche was located in Beverley Crescent in Chester Hill, NSW Police have confirmed. 'The group left Chester Hill in a Hyundai before being arrested on McMahon Rd in Yagoona trying to flee from police on foot,' police said in a statement. 'They remain in police custody. 'Crime scenes were established at both locations, which will be forensically examined by specialist police.' The shooting has been referred to Taskforce Falcon. Falcon is led by State Crime Command, with the NSW Crime Commission, to investigate and suppress violent crime in the Sydney metropolitan area. Detective Superintendent Jason Box, the commander of Taskforce Falcon, is expected to update media on the shooting at 2pm AEST. More to come
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
NSW Police super taskforce to tackle escalating gang violence in Sydney
A new police super taskforce will combat escalating gang violence across Sydney after two men were shot in broad daylight in the city's west. The two men were rushed to hospital after they were found in a car in Parramatta on Sunday afternoon. Taskforce Falcon will be led by the State Crime Command and will investigate shootings, arson attacks and kidnappings dating back to December 2024. The taskforce will absorb 13 underworld strike forces set up to investigate gang violence. NSW Police Deputy Police Commissioner said Taskforce Falcon would be manned by 150 officers as well as an additional 90 staff, including a 'proactive' arm. '(That) will be involved in suppression activities to ensure that recent violence that we've seen on the streets of Sydney over the past six months does not escalate into anything more horrific,' Mr Hudson said. The officers will be pooled from across the force, including the specialist squads attached to the State Crime Command, as well as the NSW Crime Commission, and will be overseen by Detective Superintendent Jason Box. NSW Police and Counter-Terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley MP said the 'recent violence on our streets is horrific' and vowed to apprehend those responsible. 'We won't tolerate these lawless thugs playing out their vendettas in our communities,' she said. 'When innocent people get caught up in them and are made to suffer it's sickening and barbaric. 'We all have the right to live our lives in our communities safe from these brazen criminals. 'Today we announce NSWPF are standing up Taskforce Falcon to deal with these murderous swine. 'The message is crystal clear. To those contemplating taking part in this vicious criminality, our police are coming to get you. 'You can look forward to spending a large chunk of your life in a small cell.' The taskforce will bring together, among other investigations, probes into six separate public place shootings, mostly in western Sydney. It will also oversee investigations into the alleged shooting murder of a 31-year-old in Canley Heights in December 2024 as well as the alleged shooting murder of a 23-year-old man in Condell Park on May 19, 2025. Mr Hudson said part of the reason for establishing the taskforce was because of links already established by investigators between some of the alleged incidents. The taskforce follows similar models used during Taskforce Magnus and Taskforce Erebus, which Mr Hudson said had suppressed previous 'conflicts within organised crime'. 'Since 2021, we have had 25 organised crime murders in the state of NSW. Twenty of those have been solved through investigations and the other five ongoing,' he said. 'Some of those investigations have involved the arrest of up to 30 people, not just because of committing the murder but people orchestrating the commissions of that murder. Mr Hudson said police would 'leave no stone unturned' in the pursuit of people involved in organised crime incidents 'no matter whatever it involves'.
