Latest news with #TaskforceFalcon
RNZ News
3 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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."
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Teenagers arrested over shooting that nearly killed boy
Two teenage boys were allegedly behind a pair of drive-by shootings, in which a hail of bullets narrowly missed a five-year-old boy and his innocent family. The pair, allegedly hired by organised crime groups, shot at two homes in Merrylands and Guildford West in western Sydney in March and April respectively. A woman and four children aged between six months and five years, were sleeping in the first home when about 28 bullets were fired from a semi-automatic rifle. The bullets travelled through bedrooms and bedheads, with one bullet missing the five-year-old by approximately 20 centimetres. The gunman left a threatening note at the scene after the 3.30am shooting but police allege the woman and the children inside were the wrong targets. The intended targets were the home's previous occupants who had crime group affiliations, detectives say. The second shooting in April involved 15 bullets being fired into a granny flat about 2am. The suspected target, a 26-year-old woman with alleged links to a gang member, escaped unscathed. Months of investigations ended on Wednesday with the arrest of a 15-year-old boy accused of firing the gun in both shootings. Another boy, also 15, was arrested for playing a role in the Merrylands drive-by shooting. The shootings are among more than a dozen public shootings, arson attacks and kidnappings across Sydney since Christmas, leading police to set up a 150-officer-strong taskforce in May to crush the underworld warfare. The Taskforce Falcon commander warned young people working for criminal syndicates, "this isn't a game". "Your actions are putting the lives of others at risk," Detective Superintendent Jason Box said on Wednesday. The boys were not paid a significant amount of money, he were recruiting teens by word of mouth and encrypted apps. "The intent was to kill or seriously injure someone in both those premises," Det Supt Box said. "They're committing these offences against organised crime network entities, serious criminals on behalf of other serious criminals. "I really don't think they can understand the gravity of what they're doing and how real this whole scenario is." Social media glorifying crime has become influential in how teenagers are easily lured into consorting with organised criminals, he said. The pair were charged with several firearm offences and were refused bail to appear in a children's court.
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.
ABC News
02-07-2025
- ABC News
Teenagers charged over shootings in Merrylands and Guildford West
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with two shootings in Sydney's west, including one where 28 rounds were fired into a house, with a bullet just missing a child's head. Detectives alleged the teenage gunman was responsible for both incidents, which targeted homes linked to organised criminal networks. In March, at least 28 rounds were fired from a semi-automatic rifle into a house on Crossland Street in Merrylands during a suspected drive-by. A woman and four young children — aged between six months and five years old — were inside the house at the time, with police saying one bullet missed the older child's head by approximately 20 centimetres. No-one was injured in the shooting. Police believed the home was wrongly targeted after a threatening note, allegedly intended for the previous occupants with organised crime links, was left at the scene. Soon after the shooting, a stolen, burnt-out car was found at Chiswick Road in nearby South Granville. In April, another shooting took place at a granny flat on Faulds Road in Guildford West, where police alleged 15 shots were fired from a handgun. A 26-year-old woman inside the flat was uninjured, and police said she was targeted due to her alleged relationship with an organised crime figure. A stolen car was later found burnt in Villawood a short time later. Both shooting incidents were referred to Taskforce Falcon which is a police unit looking into a spate of recent underworld shootings and acts of violence. Following investigations, both shootings were linked to a 15-year-old boy who was arrested on Wednesday morning in Condell Park in Sydney's south-west. A second 15-year-old was later arrested at Penrith Police Station in connection with the Merrylands attack. They both face multiple charges including stealing a car, firing a firearm at a home, and damaging property by fire. Both have been refused bail and are set to face a children's court on Wednesday. Commander of Taskforce Falcon, Detective Superintendent Jason Box warned young people engaged with organised criminals to come forward before it is too late. "The outcome for you committing these serious acts of violence will be losing your freedom, your future, and potentially your life."
