A 31-year-old man has been extradited from Victoria to Sydney and charged with several offences over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman two years ago.
Police allege the woman, then aged 36, was forced into a Toyota Camry by a group of unknown men in Epping on the evening of Saturday, 20 April 2024. Officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command were called to the scene about 6.45pm following reports of a kidnapping, and Strike Force Held detectives launched an investigation.
The woman was located at another address in Sydney's west about 1pm the following day. She told police she had been drugged and sexually assaulted, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Two other men, aged 29 and 37, have previously been charged in connection with the investigation, and both matters have been dealt with in court.
The 31-year-old was charged with taking or detaining a person in company with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm; aggravated sexual assault in company and depriving liberty; and using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence. He was refused bail by police and was due to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Saturday.
Investigations under Strike Force Held are continuing.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The extradition demonstrates cross-border law enforcement cooperation in pursuing serious alleged offences.
- The charges involve kidnapping, drugging, and sexual assault, reflecting severe criminal allegations.
- The ongoing investigation indicates authorities continue to seek resolution of the case.
Background
The incident occurred in Epping, a suburb in Sydney's north, in April 2024. Police responded to reports of a kidnapping and located the alleged victim the following day. Two men were previously charged in connection with the case. The latest extradition brings a third suspect before the court.
What to Watch
- Future court appearances and any pleas entered by the accused.
- Whether police make further arrests as the investigation continues.
- The progression of the case through the criminal justice system.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA man was extradited from Victoria to Sydney over the alleged Epping kidnapping and sexual assault.7NEWS: “Man extradited from Victoria to Sydney over alleged Epping kidnapping and sexual assault two years ago.”
- SupportedThe 31-year-old was charged about two years after the woman was allegedly forced into a car.7NEWS: “A man has been extradited and charged over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a woman two years ago.”
- SupportedThe 31-year-old was charged with several offences.7NEWS: “The 31-year-old was arrested in Victoria before being brought to Sydney , where he was charged with several offences following an investigation by Armed and Violent Crime Squad detectives.”
- SupportedPolice allege a group of unknown men forced the woman, then aged 36, into a Toyota Camry in Epping on the evening of Saturday, April 20, 2024.7NEWS: “Police allege the woman, then aged 36, was forced into a Toyota Camry by a group of unknown men in Epping on the evening of Saturday, April 20, 2024.”
- SupportedOfficers attached to Ryde Police Area Command were called to the scene about 6.45pm following reports of a kidnapping.7NEWS: “Officers attached to Ryde Police Area Command were called to the scene about 6.45pm following reports of a kidnapping .”
- SupportedThe woman was located at another address in Sydney’s west about 1pm the following day; she told police she had been drugged and sexually assaulted, and was taken to hospital for treatment.7NEWS: “The woman was located at another address in Sydney’s west about 1pm the following day. She told police she had been drugged and sexually assaulted before being taken to hospital for treatment.”
- SupportedTwo other men, aged 29 and 37, had previously been charged in connection with the investigation, and both matters had been dealt with in court.7NEWS: “Two other men, aged 29 and 37, have previously been charged in connection with the investigation, and both matters have been dealt with in court.”
- SupportedThe 31-year-old was charged with taking or detaining a person in company with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm; aggravated sexual assault in company and depriving liberty; and using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence.7NEWS: “The 31-year-old was charged with taking or detaining a person in company with intent to ransom, occasioning actual bodily harm; aggravated sexual assault in company and depriving liberty; and using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence.”
- SupportedThe man was refused bail by police and was due to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Saturday.7NEWS: “He was refused bail by police and was due to appear before Bail Division Court 7 on Saturday.”
- SupportedInvestigations under Strike Force Held are continuing.7NEWS: “Investigations under Strike Force Held are continuing.”