Latest news with #StrikeForceHickety
West Australian
31-07-2025
- West Australian
17yo charged with orchestrating attack that led to stabbing death of Luke Manassa
A 17-year-old has been accused of allegedly issuing the attack contract that led to the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Luke Manassa in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa was allegedly stabbed after arriving with his girlfriend at a home in Driftway Dr, Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, about 10.45pm on June 26. Despite being able to get back into his car and drive a short distance, he succumbed to his injuries and could not be revived. He died at the scene. NSW Police were told two people wearing disguises and dark clothing had attacked Mr Manassa. Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in early July in Mount Druitt and South Penrith respectively and charged with Mr Manassa's murder. On Wednesday, detectives executed a search warrant in Blacktown and arrested another 17-year-old boy about 7am. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on Wednesday. Police will allege in court the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Mr Manassa did not live at the Pemulwuy home but was known to visit the property. Police have previously said the owner of the Pemulwuy home was known to them. Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi on July 4 said investigators were yet to confirm a clear motive, however mistaken identity was 'more than likely'. 'It perhaps (was) the wrong target … more than likely, this is a case of mistaken identity, but it's still early days before we can absolutely confirm that,' he said. Superintendent Doueihi described the attack as 'very amateurish' and said it lacked the evidence of planning typically seen in gang-related hits, including expensive getaway cars or firebombed vehicles. Mr Manassa's funeral in the week after his death was an emotional affair . His mother Theresa Manassa was photographed in tears, hugging close family and friends at the conclusion of a touching memorial attended by hundreds. The end of the funeral was marked by the release of 21 white doves, commemorating Luke's 21 years, along with basketball balloons – a sport he loved. An emotional haka was led by Luke's Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group. Several police cars watched on nearby as hundreds gathered for the service. A guard of honour was formed leading to the church, made up of employees from the family business Mann Group – dressed in fluorescent orange construction shirts – and schoolchildren from nearby parishes. Police said investigations under Strike Force Hickety are ongoing.
Sky News AU
31-07-2025
- Sky News AU
Third teenager charged with allegedly orchestrating mistaken fatal stabbing of Luke Manassa in Sydney's west
A third teenager has been charged with the alleged orchestrated killing of a young man in Sydney's west. Police believe Luke Manassa was likely mistaken for his identity after he was ambushed and stabbed to death. Two men dressed in dark clothing and disguises approached the 21-year-old when he had just arrived home with his girlfriend on Driftway Drive, Pemulwuy, at 10.45pm on June 26. Mr Manassa was stabbed as he managed to flee the scene in his vehicle, before being overcome by his injuries. Paramedics treated him but he could not be revived and died at the scene. About 7am on Wednesday, police arrested a third teenager after executing a search warrant in Blacktown. 'A 17-year-old male was arrested at the scene and taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with manslaughter, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction,' a NSW Police spokesperson said. He was refused bail and appeared at a children's court on the same day. Police allege the teen issued the contract to carry out the attack on another man, but Mr Manassa was targeted in a case of mistaken identity. Two teenagers, 17 and 18, have previously been charged in June with murder and remain before the courts. On the night of the stabbing close associates of Mr Manassa had been looking after the property of Anthony Khalil, The Daily Telegraph reported. Khalil was arrested in June after allegedly abducting a Queensland man, 27, over a $2.4 million debt invested in a gambling investment company. Queensland Police allege Khalil was one of seven men involved in the kidnapping and were linked to the notorious crime network of the Alameddine family. It's understood Khalil was not at the Pemulwuy property on the night of the stabbing. Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said police did not believe Mr Manassa's murder was linked to the current gang war. 'This is a very amateurish offence, I'd call it disorganised crime,' he said. 'It does not have the hallmarks of other organised crime murders where they use multiple high performance stolen vehicles, cloned number plates, semiautomatic firearms- it doesn't have any of those traits.' Investigations under Strike Force Hickety continue. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Manassa graduated from UTS in property economics and worked full-time as a project manager at his family's demolition business Mann Group. He was laid to rest at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park on July 9. Hundreds of mourners attended the service as twenty-one white doves were released at the end of the funeral to commemorate Mr Manassa's 21 years of life. An emotional haka was led by his Polynesian colleagues at Mann Group.
The Advertiser
04-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Teenagers charged with murder after man was fatally stabbed in driveway
Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after a man was viciously stabbed to death in a driveway. Emergency services were called to a home in Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, following reports that a man in his 20s was stabbed multiple times on Driftway Drive at 10.45pm on June 26. The teenagers, dressed in dark clothing and disguises, allegedly attacked the 21-year-old victim when he and his girlfriend arrived at the home. READ MORE: Man dies in driveway after killer lands multiple blows before fleeing The injured man got back in his car and drove a short distance before being "overcome by his injuries", police said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene, but he was unable to be revived. "He was stabbed a number of is serious high-level violence that we can't tolerate," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said after the attack. Investigators said the victim was known to police, but that he was not a well-known crime figure. Detectives searched homes in South Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Woodcroft on the morning of July 3, and two teenagers were arrested. In South Penrith, police arrested a 17-year-old boy. He was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with murder and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mt Druitt. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with murder. He was also refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. Police seized a car, believed to be used in a getaway, from the Woodcroft home. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety are continuing, police said. Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after a man was viciously stabbed to death in a driveway. Emergency services were called to a home in Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, following reports that a man in his 20s was stabbed multiple times on Driftway Drive at 10.45pm on June 26. The teenagers, dressed in dark clothing and disguises, allegedly attacked the 21-year-old victim when he and his girlfriend arrived at the home. READ MORE: Man dies in driveway after killer lands multiple blows before fleeing The injured man got back in his car and drove a short distance before being "overcome by his injuries", police said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene, but he was unable to be revived. "He was stabbed a number of is serious high-level violence that we can't tolerate," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said after the attack. Investigators said the victim was known to police, but that he was not a well-known crime figure. Detectives searched homes in South Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Woodcroft on the morning of July 3, and two teenagers were arrested. In South Penrith, police arrested a 17-year-old boy. He was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with murder and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mt Druitt. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with murder. He was also refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. Police seized a car, believed to be used in a getaway, from the Woodcroft home. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety are continuing, police said. Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after a man was viciously stabbed to death in a driveway. Emergency services were called to a home in Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, following reports that a man in his 20s was stabbed multiple times on Driftway Drive at 10.45pm on June 26. The teenagers, dressed in dark clothing and disguises, allegedly attacked the 21-year-old victim when he and his girlfriend arrived at the home. READ MORE: Man dies in driveway after killer lands multiple blows before fleeing The injured man got back in his car and drove a short distance before being "overcome by his injuries", police said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene, but he was unable to be revived. "He was stabbed a number of is serious high-level violence that we can't tolerate," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said after the attack. Investigators said the victim was known to police, but that he was not a well-known crime figure. Detectives searched homes in South Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Woodcroft on the morning of July 3, and two teenagers were arrested. In South Penrith, police arrested a 17-year-old boy. He was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with murder and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mt Druitt. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with murder. He was also refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. Police seized a car, believed to be used in a getaway, from the Woodcroft home. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety are continuing, police said. Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after a man was viciously stabbed to death in a driveway. Emergency services were called to a home in Pemulwuy, in Sydney's west, following reports that a man in his 20s was stabbed multiple times on Driftway Drive at 10.45pm on June 26. The teenagers, dressed in dark clothing and disguises, allegedly attacked the 21-year-old victim when he and his girlfriend arrived at the home. READ MORE: Man dies in driveway after killer lands multiple blows before fleeing The injured man got back in his car and drove a short distance before being "overcome by his injuries", police said. Paramedics treated the man at the scene, but he was unable to be revived. "He was stabbed a number of is serious high-level violence that we can't tolerate," NSW Police Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said after the attack. Investigators said the victim was known to police, but that he was not a well-known crime figure. Detectives searched homes in South Penrith, Mt Druitt, and Woodcroft on the morning of July 3, and two teenagers were arrested. In South Penrith, police arrested a 17-year-old boy. He was taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with murder and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mt Druitt. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with murder. He was also refused bail to appear in a children's court on July 4. Police seized a car, believed to be used in a getaway, from the Woodcroft home. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety are continuing, police said.
ABC News
03-07-2025
- ABC News
Two teenagers charged over fatal stabbing of 21yo man in Pemulwuy
Two teenagers have been charged after allegedly stabbing a man to death in Sydney's west last week. Luke Manassa, 21, died on Driftway Drive in Pemulwuy last Thursday after police allege the two boys set upon him about 10.45pm. Police said the boys — 17 and 16 — donned dark clothing and "disguises", approached Mr Manassa and his girlfriend before stabbing him several times. Mr Manassa then got back into his car, but died of his injuries a short time later. Detectives were investigating whether the attack has links to organised crime feuds, with Mr Manassa known to police. The Homicide Squad took over the case under Strike Force Hickety to investigate the attack. On Thursday police arrested a 17-year-old boy in South Penrith after dawn raids there and in Mt Druitt and Woodcroft. About the same time police arrested a 16-year-old boy in Mount Druitt while in Woodcroft police seized a vehicle they believe was the getaway car. Both teens have been charged with murder, refused bail by police and are due to face Parramatta Childrens Court on Friday.
West Australian
03-07-2025
- West Australian
Sydney stabbing: Teens charged with murder after 21-year-old Sydney entrepreneur Luke Manassa fatally stabbed
Two teenage boys have been charged with murder after 21-year-old Sydney entrepreneur Luke Manassa was stabbed to death in Pemulwuy. Police allege Manassa and his girlfriend were attacked outside a Driftway Drive property about 10.45pm on June 26. Officers were told two unknown men dressed in dark clothing and disguises had set upon the 21-year-old and his girlfriend when they arrived at the property, NSW Police say. Mr Manassa was able to get back into his car and drive a short distance before succumbing to his injuries. He could not be revived and died at the scene. Police established Strike Force Hickety to investigate the alleged attack. Detectives raided properties in South Penrith, Mount Druitt, and Woodcroft at about 6am on Thursday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested in South Penrith. He has since been charged with murder and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Mount Druitt and has also been charged with murder. Both teenagers were refused bail to appear in a children's court on Friday. Police seized a vehicle they will allege was the getaway car in Woodcroft. Investigations under Strike Force Hickety remain ongoing. More to come
