Latest news with #RaptorSquad
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Man taken to hospital under police guard after fire at bikie clubhouse
A man has been taken to hospital under police guard after a fire at the Gladiators Maitland clubhouse, which reportedly comes amid escalating tensions between rival motorcycle gangs. Emergency services were called to Portland Street at Horseshoe Bend in Maitland just after 10am on Wednesday following reports of a fire. The matter has been referred to the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad, which has started investigating. Almost 30 firefighters and seven trucks were sent to the scene. Firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze, which caused minor damage to the exterior of the building. A 63-year-old man was arrested at the property by Port Stephens Hunter police. He was taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. The man remained in hospital under police guard on Wednesday evening. A crime scene was established, which will be forensically examined by police. The Newcastle Herald understands tensions have escalated after the Sydney-based outlaw motorcycle club the Hells Angels descended on the Maitland clubhouse of The Gladiators Motorcycle Club last week. Any information that may assist police with their inquiries should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A man has been taken to hospital under police guard after a fire at the Gladiators Maitland clubhouse, which reportedly comes amid escalating tensions between rival motorcycle gangs. Emergency services were called to Portland Street at Horseshoe Bend in Maitland just after 10am on Wednesday following reports of a fire. The matter has been referred to the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad, which has started investigating. Almost 30 firefighters and seven trucks were sent to the scene. Firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze, which caused minor damage to the exterior of the building. A 63-year-old man was arrested at the property by Port Stephens Hunter police. He was taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. The man remained in hospital under police guard on Wednesday evening. A crime scene was established, which will be forensically examined by police. The Newcastle Herald understands tensions have escalated after the Sydney-based outlaw motorcycle club the Hells Angels descended on the Maitland clubhouse of The Gladiators Motorcycle Club last week. Any information that may assist police with their inquiries should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A man has been taken to hospital under police guard after a fire at the Gladiators Maitland clubhouse, which reportedly comes amid escalating tensions between rival motorcycle gangs. Emergency services were called to Portland Street at Horseshoe Bend in Maitland just after 10am on Wednesday following reports of a fire. The matter has been referred to the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad, which has started investigating. Almost 30 firefighters and seven trucks were sent to the scene. Firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze, which caused minor damage to the exterior of the building. A 63-year-old man was arrested at the property by Port Stephens Hunter police. He was taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. The man remained in hospital under police guard on Wednesday evening. A crime scene was established, which will be forensically examined by police. The Newcastle Herald understands tensions have escalated after the Sydney-based outlaw motorcycle club the Hells Angels descended on the Maitland clubhouse of The Gladiators Motorcycle Club last week. Any information that may assist police with their inquiries should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A man has been taken to hospital under police guard after a fire at the Gladiators Maitland clubhouse, which reportedly comes amid escalating tensions between rival motorcycle gangs. Emergency services were called to Portland Street at Horseshoe Bend in Maitland just after 10am on Wednesday following reports of a fire. The matter has been referred to the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad, which has started investigating. Almost 30 firefighters and seven trucks were sent to the scene. Firefighters from NSW Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze, which caused minor damage to the exterior of the building. A 63-year-old man was arrested at the property by Port Stephens Hunter police. He was taken to hospital suffering minor injuries. The man remained in hospital under police guard on Wednesday evening. A crime scene was established, which will be forensically examined by police. The Newcastle Herald understands tensions have escalated after the Sydney-based outlaw motorcycle club the Hells Angels descended on the Maitland clubhouse of The Gladiators Motorcycle Club last week. Any information that may assist police with their inquiries should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Sky News AU
Sydney influencer Hasan Sayour identified as dog breeder involved in alleged assault at dog show he was banned from
A dog breeder arrested for allegedly trying to force his way into a dog show and getting into a fight with a female staff member has been identified as a Sydney man with a significant social media following. NSW Police announced on Friday that Raptor Squad officers had charged a member of a 'notorious dog breeding group" in relation to an incident in Sydney's Castle Hill in May. Police were told a dog breeder and his associates were attempting to enter an American Bull Terrier dog show in Castle Hill they had been banned from, a police statement said. The man allegedly pushed a staff member to access the show ring, before displaying a dog breeding banner on the floor. He then allegedly got into a physical altercation with a female staff member after the employee tried to remove the banner. Police say the breeder and his associates left the dog show a short time later. A 33-year-old man was arrested by Raptor Squad officers about midday on Thursday in the suburb of Greenfield Park. The man was taken Fairfield Police Station and charged with common assault and enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. He was granted strict bail conditions to appear in Fairfield Local Court on August 20, police have said. The Daily Telegraph have reported the man arrested is Hasan Sayour, who is behind dog breeding business 'Federal Bullies' which boasts 286,000 Instagram followers. The social media page regularly posts pictures of Mr Sayour sporting the Federal Bullies branding alongside dogs and puppies. Images released by NSW Police of their arrest on Thursday appear to show Mr Sayour handcuffed and wearing Federal Bullies apparel as he is led by officers from a residence into an unmarked vehicle. Mr Sayour is the nephew of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Furious parents lash out at silence over local top cop accused of having a huge hoard of sick child abuse and bestiality pics - as he's pictured at a KIDS party just before his arrest
Outraged parents are demanding answers after a father-of-four police officer was allowed to attend kids events while being investigated and later charged over a vast cache of child abuse and bestiality images. Former elite Raptor Squad cop Mitchell Leslie, 38, from the NSW Central Coast, is accused of keeping more than 200,000 depraved images on his phone and laptop. He was arrested last week following a NSW Police probe into unauthorised use of police IT systems in March this year while attached to Hornsby Police Station. The investigation culminated in the seizure of his electronic devices in May. But despite being under investigation, Leslie continued to go to children's sporting events and even a kids' birthday party. Now outraged parents have shared their concerns with Daily Mail Australia, claiming they have been left in the dark. 'This has sent shockwaves through our community,' said one concerned mother whose children were among those at the party Leslie attended. 'Parents are anxious and disturbed that someone in such a position of trust could be implicated in such offences. 'This man has been to our houses, celebrated at birthday parties, played with our kids and had sleepovers at his house, but no one has said anything to any of us.' With no word from schools or authorities, the worried mother says parents have been left in the dark. 'We have no idea whose kids are allegedly in those images - if we should talk to our kids about it or what will happen next,' she said. 'I'm so upset by it. I feel sick and I can't sleep at night knowing this.' NSW Police confirmed Leslie was charged with misconduct in public office, two counts of possessing child abuse material, one count of possessing bestiality material, and three counts of accessing or modifying restricted data on the police computer system. Court documents revealed the investigation was sparked when Leslie allegedly accessed the confidential NSW Police Force computer database to illegally help his lover on multiple occasions. On one occasion, it's alleged he tried to protect her from being detected driving unlawfully and at another time he accessed it to help her brother avoid a domestic violence apprehension. He's also accused of drafting a letter on NSW Police letterhead for the Department of Communities and Justice to assist that same partner with 'prioritised residence relocation.' 'We want answers,' another parent told Daily Mail Australia. 'As someone with an understanding of child protection I'm asking what immediate safeguarding steps are being taken locally in response to this case? 'What communication and reassurance are being provided to local schools, families, and children who may be directly or indirectly affected? 'Because we have contacted the school, the police and our local MPs and no one is giving us answers.' Leslie's barrister Imogen Hogan applied for bail, telling the court her client was currently receiving psychological treatment in Brisbane Water Private Hospital after spending three weeks as a mental health inpatient at Gosford Public Hospital. She said Constable Leslie was involved in the arrest of several prominent outlaw motorcycle gang members, and faced 'significant risks' if he was to be remanded in custody. Ms Hogan tendered an affidavit from Constable Leslie's mother which said he hoped to continue his treatment at Brisbane Water Private Hospital until he could get a bed at a specialist 'first responder' PTSD treatment program at Kellyville Private Hospital. She said Constable Leslie no longer had access to his police database and the fear of custody was 'itself' reason to comply with any strict bail conditions. But the Crown prosecutor opposed bail, telling the court Constable Leslie had been adequately treated for PTSD while serving as a police officer. She said he was only admitted to hospital on May 30, which was the day police raided his home and he would have been charged sooner if it were not for concerns about his mental health. He is suspended without pay and an urgent review of his employment status is underway. Magistrate Michael O'Brien said ultimately he was unsatisfied any conditions would alleviate the risk of Constable Leslie fleeing the jurisdiction, committing further offences or interfering with witnesses and refused him bail. He will reappear at Downing Centre Local Court on September 10. NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia that they are still reviewing the material seized. 'Investigations under Strike Force Blumont remain ongoing, and it has been important to maintain a level of confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation and the court proceedings,' said the spokesperson. 'Strike Force investigators continue to review material contained on the seized electronic devices. 'Based on information currently at hand, it is alleged the material was downloaded from online platforms.' If parents believe their child may have been at risk, or if their child has told them about any inappropriate behaviour, please contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- The Advertiser
'Wacky offers': Texts reveal Finks bikie tried to swap guns for cash, drugs on black market
WHEN Raptor Squad officers investigating the sale of illegal firearms by bikie gangs in the Hunter raided a property at Farley in August last year they found only small quantities of ice, MDMA, prescription drugs and cash stashed in a Louis Vuitton satchel bag hidden under a bed. Quizzed by police about their discovery, Finks bikie member Jackson John Rye admitted the drugs were his but said he had prescriptions for the medication and a winnings receipt for the cash. Rye, now 31, was arrested and taken to Maitland police station, but released the same day without charge. But it was what police would find in Rye's phone that would lead to his downfall. Eight days after his initial arrest, Raptor Squad police would pick up Rye again. And this time he wasn't going home. An analysis of Rye's phone revealed he had been using an encrypted messaging application to sell multiple firearms on the black market over a nine-day period in early July. Rye communicated with five unidentified people, negotiating the sale of a number of rifles and 12-gauge shotguns, according to court documents. He was after cash or to trade the guns for a combination of money, drugs and prescription medication. "Got some pretty wacky offers in [at the moment]," Rye told one person who asked about purchasing a .30-30 calibre lever-action repeating rifle. "$1000 cash and a box of [Valium] best offer so far." Another person who Rye was negotiating the sale of a rifle with wanted to see a picture of the gun to confirm it was in good condition. "I move a few of em bro always," Rye replied. "And I'm with a club bro I live by the sword. I'm straight up no bullshit. C---s get paranoid with these things but f--- it, just another deal haha." In another series of messages, Rye discussed selling a rifle to a person who admitted they knew nothing about guns but were looking for a weapon to defend themselves. "I just need a home defence weapon," the person said. "Is it gonna be useful against other c---s trying to shoot me?" After uncovering the encrypted messages, Rye was arrested again at Beresfield on August 28 last year and charged with a string of firearm offences. A short time later, police searched a home on View Street at East Branxton and seized a Glock firearm, a taser, a baton, knuckle dusters, ecstasy tablets, six vials of steroids and more than $2000 cash. Cayden Pearce, 19, was arrested at the property after police said he attempted to flee and hide inside the home. Police later said Rye had been selling multiple firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and that Pearce had purchased one of the guns not long before the raids. Pearce initially pleaded not guilty to a string of firearm, weapons, drugs, assault and damaging property offences, but changed his plea to guilty and in January was jailed for a maximum of three years, with a non-parole period of two years. After serving eight months behind bars, Pearce appealed against the severity of the sentence and in Newcastle District Court in May he was released on an intensive corrections order. Rye, who remains behind bars, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling firearms three times or more within a 12-month period and two counts of possession of an unauthorised firearm, relating to a lever-action .30-30 calibre repeating rifle and a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun. Rye's matter was mentioned in Newcastle District Court for the first time on Thursday when it was set down for sentence in September. WHEN Raptor Squad officers investigating the sale of illegal firearms by bikie gangs in the Hunter raided a property at Farley in August last year they found only small quantities of ice, MDMA, prescription drugs and cash stashed in a Louis Vuitton satchel bag hidden under a bed. Quizzed by police about their discovery, Finks bikie member Jackson John Rye admitted the drugs were his but said he had prescriptions for the medication and a winnings receipt for the cash. Rye, now 31, was arrested and taken to Maitland police station, but released the same day without charge. But it was what police would find in Rye's phone that would lead to his downfall. Eight days after his initial arrest, Raptor Squad police would pick up Rye again. And this time he wasn't going home. An analysis of Rye's phone revealed he had been using an encrypted messaging application to sell multiple firearms on the black market over a nine-day period in early July. Rye communicated with five unidentified people, negotiating the sale of a number of rifles and 12-gauge shotguns, according to court documents. He was after cash or to trade the guns for a combination of money, drugs and prescription medication. "Got some pretty wacky offers in [at the moment]," Rye told one person who asked about purchasing a .30-30 calibre lever-action repeating rifle. "$1000 cash and a box of [Valium] best offer so far." Another person who Rye was negotiating the sale of a rifle with wanted to see a picture of the gun to confirm it was in good condition. "I move a few of em bro always," Rye replied. "And I'm with a club bro I live by the sword. I'm straight up no bullshit. C---s get paranoid with these things but f--- it, just another deal haha." In another series of messages, Rye discussed selling a rifle to a person who admitted they knew nothing about guns but were looking for a weapon to defend themselves. "I just need a home defence weapon," the person said. "Is it gonna be useful against other c---s trying to shoot me?" After uncovering the encrypted messages, Rye was arrested again at Beresfield on August 28 last year and charged with a string of firearm offences. A short time later, police searched a home on View Street at East Branxton and seized a Glock firearm, a taser, a baton, knuckle dusters, ecstasy tablets, six vials of steroids and more than $2000 cash. Cayden Pearce, 19, was arrested at the property after police said he attempted to flee and hide inside the home. Police later said Rye had been selling multiple firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and that Pearce had purchased one of the guns not long before the raids. Pearce initially pleaded not guilty to a string of firearm, weapons, drugs, assault and damaging property offences, but changed his plea to guilty and in January was jailed for a maximum of three years, with a non-parole period of two years. After serving eight months behind bars, Pearce appealed against the severity of the sentence and in Newcastle District Court in May he was released on an intensive corrections order. Rye, who remains behind bars, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling firearms three times or more within a 12-month period and two counts of possession of an unauthorised firearm, relating to a lever-action .30-30 calibre repeating rifle and a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun. Rye's matter was mentioned in Newcastle District Court for the first time on Thursday when it was set down for sentence in September. WHEN Raptor Squad officers investigating the sale of illegal firearms by bikie gangs in the Hunter raided a property at Farley in August last year they found only small quantities of ice, MDMA, prescription drugs and cash stashed in a Louis Vuitton satchel bag hidden under a bed. Quizzed by police about their discovery, Finks bikie member Jackson John Rye admitted the drugs were his but said he had prescriptions for the medication and a winnings receipt for the cash. Rye, now 31, was arrested and taken to Maitland police station, but released the same day without charge. But it was what police would find in Rye's phone that would lead to his downfall. Eight days after his initial arrest, Raptor Squad police would pick up Rye again. And this time he wasn't going home. An analysis of Rye's phone revealed he had been using an encrypted messaging application to sell multiple firearms on the black market over a nine-day period in early July. Rye communicated with five unidentified people, negotiating the sale of a number of rifles and 12-gauge shotguns, according to court documents. He was after cash or to trade the guns for a combination of money, drugs and prescription medication. "Got some pretty wacky offers in [at the moment]," Rye told one person who asked about purchasing a .30-30 calibre lever-action repeating rifle. "$1000 cash and a box of [Valium] best offer so far." Another person who Rye was negotiating the sale of a rifle with wanted to see a picture of the gun to confirm it was in good condition. "I move a few of em bro always," Rye replied. "And I'm with a club bro I live by the sword. I'm straight up no bullshit. C---s get paranoid with these things but f--- it, just another deal haha." In another series of messages, Rye discussed selling a rifle to a person who admitted they knew nothing about guns but were looking for a weapon to defend themselves. "I just need a home defence weapon," the person said. "Is it gonna be useful against other c---s trying to shoot me?" After uncovering the encrypted messages, Rye was arrested again at Beresfield on August 28 last year and charged with a string of firearm offences. A short time later, police searched a home on View Street at East Branxton and seized a Glock firearm, a taser, a baton, knuckle dusters, ecstasy tablets, six vials of steroids and more than $2000 cash. Cayden Pearce, 19, was arrested at the property after police said he attempted to flee and hide inside the home. Police later said Rye had been selling multiple firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and that Pearce had purchased one of the guns not long before the raids. Pearce initially pleaded not guilty to a string of firearm, weapons, drugs, assault and damaging property offences, but changed his plea to guilty and in January was jailed for a maximum of three years, with a non-parole period of two years. After serving eight months behind bars, Pearce appealed against the severity of the sentence and in Newcastle District Court in May he was released on an intensive corrections order. Rye, who remains behind bars, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling firearms three times or more within a 12-month period and two counts of possession of an unauthorised firearm, relating to a lever-action .30-30 calibre repeating rifle and a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun. Rye's matter was mentioned in Newcastle District Court for the first time on Thursday when it was set down for sentence in September. WHEN Raptor Squad officers investigating the sale of illegal firearms by bikie gangs in the Hunter raided a property at Farley in August last year they found only small quantities of ice, MDMA, prescription drugs and cash stashed in a Louis Vuitton satchel bag hidden under a bed. Quizzed by police about their discovery, Finks bikie member Jackson John Rye admitted the drugs were his but said he had prescriptions for the medication and a winnings receipt for the cash. Rye, now 31, was arrested and taken to Maitland police station, but released the same day without charge. But it was what police would find in Rye's phone that would lead to his downfall. Eight days after his initial arrest, Raptor Squad police would pick up Rye again. And this time he wasn't going home. An analysis of Rye's phone revealed he had been using an encrypted messaging application to sell multiple firearms on the black market over a nine-day period in early July. Rye communicated with five unidentified people, negotiating the sale of a number of rifles and 12-gauge shotguns, according to court documents. He was after cash or to trade the guns for a combination of money, drugs and prescription medication. "Got some pretty wacky offers in [at the moment]," Rye told one person who asked about purchasing a .30-30 calibre lever-action repeating rifle. "$1000 cash and a box of [Valium] best offer so far." Another person who Rye was negotiating the sale of a rifle with wanted to see a picture of the gun to confirm it was in good condition. "I move a few of em bro always," Rye replied. "And I'm with a club bro I live by the sword. I'm straight up no bullshit. C---s get paranoid with these things but f--- it, just another deal haha." In another series of messages, Rye discussed selling a rifle to a person who admitted they knew nothing about guns but were looking for a weapon to defend themselves. "I just need a home defence weapon," the person said. "Is it gonna be useful against other c---s trying to shoot me?" After uncovering the encrypted messages, Rye was arrested again at Beresfield on August 28 last year and charged with a string of firearm offences. A short time later, police searched a home on View Street at East Branxton and seized a Glock firearm, a taser, a baton, knuckle dusters, ecstasy tablets, six vials of steroids and more than $2000 cash. Cayden Pearce, 19, was arrested at the property after police said he attempted to flee and hide inside the home. Police later said Rye had been selling multiple firearms, including rifles and shotguns, and that Pearce had purchased one of the guns not long before the raids. Pearce initially pleaded not guilty to a string of firearm, weapons, drugs, assault and damaging property offences, but changed his plea to guilty and in January was jailed for a maximum of three years, with a non-parole period of two years. After serving eight months behind bars, Pearce appealed against the severity of the sentence and in Newcastle District Court in May he was released on an intensive corrections order. Rye, who remains behind bars, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully selling firearms three times or more within a 12-month period and two counts of possession of an unauthorised firearm, relating to a lever-action .30-30 calibre repeating rifle and a double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun. Rye's matter was mentioned in Newcastle District Court for the first time on Thursday when it was set down for sentence in September.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Sydney bikie blitz: Three men charged after Raptor Squad's 'day of action'
Three men have been charged after officers executed a series of early-morning raids targeting members and associates of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Raptor Squad officers executed 14 firearm prohibition order checks and issued 13 consorting warnings for associating with convicted offenders on Tuesday. Police allegedly seized 35g of cocaine, 16g of methylamphetamine, 12 MDMA tablets, and a small quantity of cannabis during the early-morning raids in Sydney 's west. About 5.50am, a 50-year-old man was arrested at a home in Georges Hall for allegedly breaching his consorting warning more than 10 times in seven months. The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with habitually consorting with convicted offenders after receiving a warning. He received conditional bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on August 14. At 5.45am, a car being driven by a 32-year-old man was stopped for a firearms prohibition order compliance check in Auburn. Police allege officers found a knife and a baseball bat inside the vehicle. The driver was charged with custody of a knife in a public place, and having custody of an offensive implement in a public place. He received conditional bail to attend Burwood Local Court on August 7. At 7.10am, officers executed a similar compliance check in North Parramatta. They allegedly found a quantity of prohibited drugs, scales, and packaging consistent with the supply of drugs at the address. A 52-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, indictable and commercial quantity, and possessing prohibited drugs. He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday. It comes after five alleged high-ranking Finks members were charged over what police alleged was an attempted break-in at a home in Newcastle. Three Sydney men, aged between 25 and 29, were arrested in Liverpool. A 38-year-old Sydney man was later arrested at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle after he was allegedly shot during the alleged attack. The men were hit with various charges including aggravated break and enter with intent and participating in a criminal group before they were refused bail. A 47-year-old was later charged with cultivating an outlawed plant and using an illegal weapon but was granted conditional bail at the time. The motorcycle gang was rocked by the death of their 34-year-old sergeant-at-arms in February last year. Jamie Goodworth was dumped outside Liverpool Hospital at 1am with two gunshot wounds before he died in surgery. Goodworth had been involved in an alleged break-in at a Edensor Park home owned by a man with suspected links to the Assyrian Kings gang to steal up to $250,000. The sergeant-in-arms had tried to break down the door but a man inside opened fire, hitting him twice through the door.
