Latest news with #StrikeForceHallet
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- The Guardian
Man shot through eye and buried alive survived attempted murder by ‘contract crew', NSW police allege
Homicide squad detectives investigating the murder of Rich 'Dylan' Choup are appealing for information from the public regarding two other violent incidents they believe could be linked. Strike Force Hallet was established to investigate a 'contract crew' allegedly responsible for the death of Choup in July 2024; the separate kidnapping and torture of a man in Canley Vale; and the attempted murder of another man in Queensland. Homicide squad Det Supt Joseph Doueihi alleged on Monday that 'all three offences occurred within a six-day period between 19 July and 25 July'. 'We will allege that this syndicate that's responsible for these three offences are linked to a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate,' he said. New South Wales police allege that on 19 July 2024, a 31-year-old man was kidnapped from the Auburn and Regents Park area and taken to a location in Canley Vale where he was tortured and had part of his ear cut off. 'Later that day, he was released,' Doueihi said. Detectives searched a Canley Vale property – where the man was believed to have been held – on 10 October 2024 and allegedly found a box cutter. 'We will allege that was the box cutter that was used to sever part of that man's ear,' Doueihi said on Monday. Detectives released an image of the box cutter as well as CCTV of two vehicles travelling in convoy at the intersection of Freeman Avenue and Sackville Street in Canley Vale around the time of the incident. The vehicles were described as a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf. 'The relevance of the Audi is that it was also [allegedly] later used in the suspicious disappearance of Mr Choup,' Doueihi said. Doueihi said on 21 July last year, a 23-year-old man from NSW was lured to Queensland by a group of males 'not knowing what their ulterior motive was'. 'The male was shot in the head through the eye with the bullet lodged in his brain [and] he was buried in a shallow grave,' the detective said. Doueihi said that unbeknownst to the offenders, who believed the man was dead, the 23-year-old crawled out of the grave and made his way to a nearby service station in Jimboomba. 'Covered in dirt … the man asked staff not to call emergency services [but] he collapsed shortly after, prompting them to seek help. He was taken to hospital,' NSW police said in a statement on Monday. Police released CCTV of a white Hyundai Getz seen at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the mid-north coast on Saturday 20 July 2024 – the day before the alleged attempted murder. Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Doueihi said 'incident three', the primary investigation of Strike Force Hallet, was the alleged murder of Choup. On the afternoon of 31 August 2024, officers were called to bushland off Heathcote Road at Lucas Heights after trail bike riders discovered human remains. The remains were later confirmed to be those of 32-year-old Choup, who was reported missing to police on 29 July. A post-mortem confirmed Choup had been fatally shot and that the top of his right ear had been severed. 'We believe that it's very highly likely related to something that's gone wrong within that drug trafficking syndicate from Melbourne,' Doueihi said. 'We believe that Mr Choup was an employee of that syndicate and has fallen foul of that syndicate for some reason – we don't have the exact details'. Choup was last seen on 25 July in Cabramatta when he told friends he had a meeting. CCTV captured Choup meeting with a man on Railway Parade who appeared to reprimand and slap him, the detective said on Monday. Both men were then seen walking towards a grey Audi SQ2. Anyone with information about the CCTV, the men in it or the vehicles was urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
West Australian
17 hours ago
- West Australian
Rich ‘Dylan' Choup: Manhunt for ‘contract crew' over alleged murder, torture and kidnappings
The last moments of a man later found brutally murdered have been captured on CCTV, released by police investigating a 'contract crew' believed to be behind six-days of violent carnage. Rich 'Dylan' Choup, whose body was found with a gunshot wound and his ear severed by trail bikers in August 2024, can be seen being slapped in the face in a chilling confrontation with an unknown man. Police believe the father is one of at least three victims of a violent gang of offenders with links to a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate whose reign of terror spanned two states. Strike Force Hallet, set up to investigate Mr Choup's death, is also investigating the kidnapping and torture of a man in Canley Vale, and the attempted murder of another man in Queensland. Vision of multiple men, including of one who was shot through his eye and buried, various cars and even a box cutter was released on Monday as police try to hunt down those responsible. Police believe a 31-year-old man was tortured and had part of his ear severed after he was kidnapped from south west Sydney on July 19, 2024 'Although the incident was not reported to police, detectives executed a crime scene warrant on Thursday 10 October 2024 at a Canley Vale property where the man is believed to have been held,' a police statement read. 'During the search, police located a box cutter which was seized for further forensic analysis.' Police have released an image of the boxcutter they believe was used in the torture incident and CCTV of two vehicles captured on CCTV driving in convoy at the intersection of Freeman Avenue and Sackville Street in Canley Vale around the time of the incident. The vehicles are described as a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf. A 23-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to his eye, with the bullet lodged in his brain. The alarm was raised about 5am on July 21, 2024 after the man, covered in dirt, stumbled into a service station in Jimboomba, about an hour north east of the Gold Coast. The man had asked staff not to call emergency services but collapsed shortly after, prompting them to seek help. Police believe the man was shot and buried, with those responsible likely unaware he crawled out of his shallow grave to seek help a short time later. As investigations continue, police have released CCTV of a white Hyundai Getz seen at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the Mid North Coast about 5.30am on 20 July, 2024 – the day before the attempted murder. Four male passengers are captured on CCTV, one is believed to be the victim, leading police to believe he may have been picked up in NSW and driven to Queensland where his attempted murder took place. Mr Choup was last seen about 6.10pm on July 25, 2024 in Cabramatta. He had told friends he was goinf to a meeting and aksed friends to stay nearby. About 6.25pm, CCTV captured Mr Choup meeting with a man on Railway Parade, who appeared to reprimand and slap him. Both men are then seen walking towards a grey Audi SQ2. As inquiries continue, police have released CCTV of the grey Audi SQ2, possibly the same vehicle used in the kidnapping in Canley Vale a week earlier. Detectives have also released CCTV of a white Lexus and white Audi RS3. Police say two males captured in the CCTV, seen allegedly moving the vehicles before and after Mr Choup's disappearance are also wanted for questioning. Anyone with information about the vehicles or the men in the CCTV are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Perth Now
17 hours ago
- Perth Now
WATCH: ‘Contract crew' wanted over six-day reign of terror
The last moments of a man later found brutally murdered have been captured on CCTV, released by police investigating a 'contract crew' believed to be behind six-days of violent carnage. Rich 'Dylan' Choup, whose body was found with a gunshot wound and his ear severed by trail bikers in August 2024, can be seen being slapped in the face in a chilling confrontation with an unknown man. Police believe the father is one of at least three victims of a violent gang of offenders with links to a Victorian drug trafficking syndicate whose reign of terror spanned two states. Strike Force Hallet, set up to investigate Mr Choup's death, is also investigating the kidnapping and torture of a man in Canley Vale, and the attempted murder of another man in Queensland. Vision of multiple men, including of one who was shot through his eye and buried, various cars and even a box cutter was released on Monday as police try to hunt down those responsible. Police believe a 31-year-old man was tortured and had part of his ear severed after he was kidnapped from south west Sydney on July 19, 2024 'Although the incident was not reported to police, detectives executed a crime scene warrant on Thursday 10 October 2024 at a Canley Vale property where the man is believed to have been held,' a police statement read. 'During the search, police located a box cutter which was seized for further forensic analysis.' Police have released an image of the boxcutter they believe was used in the torture incident and CCTV of two vehicles captured on CCTV driving in convoy at the intersection of Freeman Avenue and Sackville Street in Canley Vale around the time of the incident. The vehicles are described as a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf. A 23-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to his eye, with the bullet lodged in his brain. The alarm was raised about 5am on July 21, 2024 after the man, covered in dirt, stumbled into a service station in Jimboomba, about an hour north east of the Gold Coast. The man had asked staff not to call emergency services but collapsed shortly after, prompting them to seek help. Police believe the man was shot and buried, with those responsible likely unaware he crawled out of his shallow grave to seek help a short time later. The man, covered in dirt, stumbled into a service station in Jimboomba. Credit: NSW Police The 23-year-old asked staff not to call authorities, but they did when he collapsed. Credit: NSW Police As investigations continue, police have released CCTV of a white Hyundai Getz seen at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the Mid North Coast about 5.30am on 20 July, 2024 – the day before the attempted murder. Four male passengers are captured on CCTV, one is believed to be the victim, leading police to believe he may have been picked up in NSW and driven to Queensland where his attempted murder took place. Mr Choup was last seen about 6.10pm on July 25, 2024 in Cabramatta. He had told friends he was goinf to a meeting and aksed friends to stay nearby. About 6.25pm, CCTV captured Mr Choup meeting with a man on Railway Parade, who appeared to reprimand and slap him. Both men are then seen walking towards a grey Audi SQ2. Rich 'Dylan' Choup appears to be reprimanded and slapped by an unknown man. Credit: NSW Police As inquiries continue, police have released CCTV of the grey Audi SQ2, possibly the same vehicle used in the kidnapping in Canley Vale a week earlier. Detectives have also released CCTV of a white Lexus and white Audi RS3. Police say two males captured in the CCTV, seen allegedly moving the vehicles before and after Mr Choup's disappearance are also wanted for questioning. Anyone with information about the vehicles or the men in the CCTV are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
ABC News
18 hours ago
- ABC News
Police appeal for information over suspected link in torture and murder cases
NSW Police officers are investigating a connection between the killing of a 32-year-old man in Sydney to two cases of kidnapping and torture. Strike Force Hallet is investigating whether a "contract crew" is behind the three cases, which are believed to have occurred within a period of six days last year. The state's police force believes the three incidents may be linked to a Victorian crime syndicate. The first case in this suspected timeline involves the kidnapping of a 31-year-old from Canley Vale in Sydney's south-west, which police believe occurred on July 19. It is alleged the man was tortured by his kidnappers, with part of his ear being severed before he was released that day. NSW Police said the kidnapping and torture was not reported to authorities, but detectives did execute a crime scene warrant on October 10 at a Canley Vale property, where the man was believed to have been held during the incident. Police seized a box cutter for further forensic analysis. Two days after the alleged kidnapping, police say an attempted murder took place in south-east Queensland. During the early hours of July 21, a 23-year-old man, covered in dirt and suffering a facial gunshot wound with a bullet lodged in his brain, was taken to hospital after collapsing in a Jimboomba service station. Police believe there was an attempt to murder and bury the man. The 23-year-old was allegedly seen in CCTV footage of a white Hyundai Getz driving through the Mid North Coast carrying four passengers the day before the alleged incident. Four days after this alleged attempted murder, NSW Police believe Rich "Dylan" Choup — a 32-year-old whose remains were found on August 31 last year in bushland at Lucas Heights — was kidnapped before being fatally shot and having the top of his right ear severed. According to NSW Police, Mr Choup was captured shortly after 6pm on CCTV on July 25 meeting and being slapped by a man in Cabramatta, before they both walked towards a grey Audi SQ2. Mr Choup was later reported to police as missing on 29 July. Anyone with information about the vehicles or the men in the CCTV are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
News.com.au
19 hours ago
- News.com.au
CCTV of ‘contract crew' released after murder, kidnapping
The final moments of a father who was believed to have been killed by a 'contract crew' has been released as detectives hunt those responsible. Police have obtained chilling CCTV footage of a group allegedly linked to murder, torture and kidnapping across two states in 2024. Three incidents being investigated by Strike Force Hallet include the murder of Rich 'Dylan' Choup in Sydney last July, and the attempted murder of another man who was shot and buried alive. Mr Choup's body was found in bushland south of Sydney, while the 23-year-old who survived a shooting stumbled into a Queensland petrol station before collapsing with a bullet lodged in his brain. Detectives believe the attacks – which occurred over a 'six-day period of carnage' – may be linked to a Victorian drug syndicate. Footage of multiple men and cars used during the incidents were released on Monday as NSW Police step up their efforts to locate them, The first episode took place on July 19, 2024 when a 31-year-old man was allegedly kidnapped from Canley Vale in Sydney's southwest. He was allegedly tortured by his captives and had part of his right ear severed before being released the same day. Although the man never reported the incident, detectives searched a Canley Vale property where the man is believed to have been held on October 10. During the search, police located a box cutter which was seized for further forensic analysis. Police have obtained CCTV of two vehicles travelling in convoy at the intersection of Freeman Ave and Sackville St, Canley Vale around the time of the incident. The vehicles were a dark-coloured Audi SQ2 and a white Volkswagen Golf. Then, on July 21 last year, a 23-year-old man entered a Queensland service station covered in dirt and with a bullet wound to his head. He collapsed at the scene in Tamborine St, Jimboomba and staff called police despite his request not to alert authorities. The man was taken to hospital where it was established he had been shot through the eye and had a bullet lodged in his brain. Queensland and NSW police believe the man was shot and buried, with those responsible likely unaware he crawled out of his shallow grave to seek help a short time later. CCTV captured a white Hyundai Getz at a roadhouse in Nambucca on the Mid North Coast of NSW about 5:30am on Saturday, July 20, 2024 – the day before the attempted murder. Four males were also seen on CCTV. One is believed to be the victim, suggesting he may have been picked up in NSW and driven to Queensland before being shot and buried. The third incident was the alleged murder of Mr Rich, 32, a father whose remains were discovered in bushland more than a month after he went missing on July 25, 2024. Mr Choup had told friends he had a meeting in Cabramatta and asked they wait nearby. CCTV captured Mr Choup meeting with a man on Railway Pde, who appeared to slap him and order him toward a car about 6:25pm. Both men were captured walking towards a grey Audi SQ2 – potentially the same vehicle used in the Canley Vale kidnapping. Mr Choup was reported missing four days later. On the morning of August 31, 2024, officers were called to bushland off Heathcote Rd, Lucas Heights after reports trail bike riders discovered human remains. The remains were later confirmed to be those of Mr Choup and a post-mortem confirmed he was been fatally shot and that the top of his right ear had been severed. Detectives have also released footage of a white Lexus and white Audi RS3. Two males captured in the CCTV, seen allegedly moving the vehicles before and after Mr Choup's disappearance are also of interest to police.
