16-05-2025
Fourth man charged over alleged kidnapping, intimidation at Muswellbrook
DETECTIVES investigating the alleged kidnapping and assault of man at Muswellbrook and a related intimidation and predatory driving in March have charged a fourth man.
Three men - 34-year-old Brett Leonard Robertson, 21-year-old Angus Wilfred Higgins and 38-year-old Luke William Charles Whalan - are all behind bars after Strike Force Sanderston investigators swooped over the last week, charging the men over the alleged kidnapping on the New England Highway in the early hours of March 21.
And on Thursday, detectives, with assistance from the Raptor Squad and Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, arrested 31-year-old Christopher Jordan Bell at a house at Springfield on the Central Coast.
He was charged with six offences, including kidnapping in company, predatory driving and intimidation and is expected to appear in Gosford Local Court on Friday.
According to police, it was just before 4am on March 21 when a 25-year-old man was allegedly forced to stop his car on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook by a group of five men in a silver Subaru Impreza.
The man was allegedly pulled from his vehicle before he was assaulted and forced into the Subaru and driven to Tindale Street at Muswellbrook.
Police believe the Subaru remained in Tindale Street for some time before travelling to Denman or a nearby rural area.
A short time later, a 35-year-old man was stopped in his vehicle outside the same house in Tindale Street after a Holden Commodore utility crashed into the front of his car.
The 35-year-old was allegedly approached and threatened by someone in the ute before he drove away unharmed.
Police have said they believe the kidnapping and intimidation are linked and earlier this month released CCTV footage of two vehicles and three men who they said would be able to help with the investigation.
Police say they later found the 25-year-old man at Muswellbrook railway station.
He had suffered facial injuries and was treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
He has since been discharged.
Hunter Valley detectives established Strike Force Sanderston to investigate and so far have arrested four men over the kidnapping and intimidation.
Police raided two homes at Scone and Muswellbrook on May 7 and allegedly uncovered a replica firearm, electronics, illegal tobacco products, prohibited drugs, and a range of property believed to be stolen.
Robertson and Higgins were arrested and taken to Muswellbrook police station where they were charged with kidnapping in company.
Robertson was also charged with drug supply, goods in custody, contravening an apprehended violence order and predatory driving.
And on Monday, detectives arrested 38-year-old Whalan at Muswellbrook.
He was charged with kidnapping in company, intimidation and sexually touching another person without consent.
All three men have been refused bail and will next appear in Newcastle Local Court in July.
Following further inquiries, investigators went to the Central Coast on Thursday where they raided the home at Springfield and arrested Bell.
DETECTIVES investigating the alleged kidnapping and assault of man at Muswellbrook and a related intimidation and predatory driving in March have charged a fourth man.
Three men - 34-year-old Brett Leonard Robertson, 21-year-old Angus Wilfred Higgins and 38-year-old Luke William Charles Whalan - are all behind bars after Strike Force Sanderston investigators swooped over the last week, charging the men over the alleged kidnapping on the New England Highway in the early hours of March 21.
And on Thursday, detectives, with assistance from the Raptor Squad and Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, arrested 31-year-old Christopher Jordan Bell at a house at Springfield on the Central Coast.
He was charged with six offences, including kidnapping in company, predatory driving and intimidation and is expected to appear in Gosford Local Court on Friday.
According to police, it was just before 4am on March 21 when a 25-year-old man was allegedly forced to stop his car on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook by a group of five men in a silver Subaru Impreza.
The man was allegedly pulled from his vehicle before he was assaulted and forced into the Subaru and driven to Tindale Street at Muswellbrook.
Police believe the Subaru remained in Tindale Street for some time before travelling to Denman or a nearby rural area.
A short time later, a 35-year-old man was stopped in his vehicle outside the same house in Tindale Street after a Holden Commodore utility crashed into the front of his car.
The 35-year-old was allegedly approached and threatened by someone in the ute before he drove away unharmed.
Police have said they believe the kidnapping and intimidation are linked and earlier this month released CCTV footage of two vehicles and three men who they said would be able to help with the investigation.
Police say they later found the 25-year-old man at Muswellbrook railway station.
He had suffered facial injuries and was treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
He has since been discharged.
Hunter Valley detectives established Strike Force Sanderston to investigate and so far have arrested four men over the kidnapping and intimidation.
Police raided two homes at Scone and Muswellbrook on May 7 and allegedly uncovered a replica firearm, electronics, illegal tobacco products, prohibited drugs, and a range of property believed to be stolen.
Robertson and Higgins were arrested and taken to Muswellbrook police station where they were charged with kidnapping in company.
Robertson was also charged with drug supply, goods in custody, contravening an apprehended violence order and predatory driving.
And on Monday, detectives arrested 38-year-old Whalan at Muswellbrook.
He was charged with kidnapping in company, intimidation and sexually touching another person without consent.
All three men have been refused bail and will next appear in Newcastle Local Court in July.
Following further inquiries, investigators went to the Central Coast on Thursday where they raided the home at Springfield and arrested Bell.
DETECTIVES investigating the alleged kidnapping and assault of man at Muswellbrook and a related intimidation and predatory driving in March have charged a fourth man.
Three men - 34-year-old Brett Leonard Robertson, 21-year-old Angus Wilfred Higgins and 38-year-old Luke William Charles Whalan - are all behind bars after Strike Force Sanderston investigators swooped over the last week, charging the men over the alleged kidnapping on the New England Highway in the early hours of March 21.
And on Thursday, detectives, with assistance from the Raptor Squad and Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, arrested 31-year-old Christopher Jordan Bell at a house at Springfield on the Central Coast.
He was charged with six offences, including kidnapping in company, predatory driving and intimidation and is expected to appear in Gosford Local Court on Friday.
According to police, it was just before 4am on March 21 when a 25-year-old man was allegedly forced to stop his car on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook by a group of five men in a silver Subaru Impreza.
The man was allegedly pulled from his vehicle before he was assaulted and forced into the Subaru and driven to Tindale Street at Muswellbrook.
Police believe the Subaru remained in Tindale Street for some time before travelling to Denman or a nearby rural area.
A short time later, a 35-year-old man was stopped in his vehicle outside the same house in Tindale Street after a Holden Commodore utility crashed into the front of his car.
The 35-year-old was allegedly approached and threatened by someone in the ute before he drove away unharmed.
Police have said they believe the kidnapping and intimidation are linked and earlier this month released CCTV footage of two vehicles and three men who they said would be able to help with the investigation.
Police say they later found the 25-year-old man at Muswellbrook railway station.
He had suffered facial injuries and was treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
He has since been discharged.
Hunter Valley detectives established Strike Force Sanderston to investigate and so far have arrested four men over the kidnapping and intimidation.
Police raided two homes at Scone and Muswellbrook on May 7 and allegedly uncovered a replica firearm, electronics, illegal tobacco products, prohibited drugs, and a range of property believed to be stolen.
Robertson and Higgins were arrested and taken to Muswellbrook police station where they were charged with kidnapping in company.
Robertson was also charged with drug supply, goods in custody, contravening an apprehended violence order and predatory driving.
And on Monday, detectives arrested 38-year-old Whalan at Muswellbrook.
He was charged with kidnapping in company, intimidation and sexually touching another person without consent.
All three men have been refused bail and will next appear in Newcastle Local Court in July.
Following further inquiries, investigators went to the Central Coast on Thursday where they raided the home at Springfield and arrested Bell.
DETECTIVES investigating the alleged kidnapping and assault of man at Muswellbrook and a related intimidation and predatory driving in March have charged a fourth man.
Three men - 34-year-old Brett Leonard Robertson, 21-year-old Angus Wilfred Higgins and 38-year-old Luke William Charles Whalan - are all behind bars after Strike Force Sanderston investigators swooped over the last week, charging the men over the alleged kidnapping on the New England Highway in the early hours of March 21.
And on Thursday, detectives, with assistance from the Raptor Squad and Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, arrested 31-year-old Christopher Jordan Bell at a house at Springfield on the Central Coast.
He was charged with six offences, including kidnapping in company, predatory driving and intimidation and is expected to appear in Gosford Local Court on Friday.
According to police, it was just before 4am on March 21 when a 25-year-old man was allegedly forced to stop his car on the New England Highway at Muswellbrook by a group of five men in a silver Subaru Impreza.
The man was allegedly pulled from his vehicle before he was assaulted and forced into the Subaru and driven to Tindale Street at Muswellbrook.
Police believe the Subaru remained in Tindale Street for some time before travelling to Denman or a nearby rural area.
A short time later, a 35-year-old man was stopped in his vehicle outside the same house in Tindale Street after a Holden Commodore utility crashed into the front of his car.
The 35-year-old was allegedly approached and threatened by someone in the ute before he drove away unharmed.
Police have said they believe the kidnapping and intimidation are linked and earlier this month released CCTV footage of two vehicles and three men who they said would be able to help with the investigation.
Police say they later found the 25-year-old man at Muswellbrook railway station.
He had suffered facial injuries and was treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.
He has since been discharged.
Hunter Valley detectives established Strike Force Sanderston to investigate and so far have arrested four men over the kidnapping and intimidation.
Police raided two homes at Scone and Muswellbrook on May 7 and allegedly uncovered a replica firearm, electronics, illegal tobacco products, prohibited drugs, and a range of property believed to be stolen.
Robertson and Higgins were arrested and taken to Muswellbrook police station where they were charged with kidnapping in company.
Robertson was also charged with drug supply, goods in custody, contravening an apprehended violence order and predatory driving.
And on Monday, detectives arrested 38-year-old Whalan at Muswellbrook.
He was charged with kidnapping in company, intimidation and sexually touching another person without consent.
All three men have been refused bail and will next appear in Newcastle Local Court in July.
Following further inquiries, investigators went to the Central Coast on Thursday where they raided the home at Springfield and arrested Bell.
