Australia news LIVE: Extraordinary details emerge after arrest over gang war kidnappings and luxury car thefts

Published on: June 24, 2025

By KYLIE STEVENS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 00:41 BST, 24 June 2025 | Updated: 01:00 BST, 24 June 2025

Welcome to Daily Mail Australia’s live news blog.

Man charged with alleged kidnapping and theft of luxury cars worth more than $800,000

A Sydney inmate has been hit with fresh charges over his alleged involvement in a kidnapping and the theft of several luxury vehicles, including a Bentley and a Rolls-Royce.

Police allege the man, 21, currently detained at Silverwater Jail, stole the cars to supply vehicles to organised crime groups.

It follows a four-month investigation by strike force detectives.

An investigation was launched after local police allegedly spotted three men wearing balaclavas running from a car in North Parramatta on February 27.

Mobile phones, duct tape, flexi cuffs and a baseball bat were seized during a search of the vehicle.

Three men have since been charged for their roles in an alleged conspiracy to kidnap and remain before the courts.

Last month, the State Crime Command established Taskforce Falcon to oversee a number of strike forces – including Strike Force Drever – to investigate potential links between violent crime in Sydney.

As a result of ongoing inquiries, detectives allegedly linked a 21-year-old man to “having a direct involvement” in the theft of a Haval vehicle, which was to be used in the kidnapping at Parramatta.

Detectives will further allege the man also stole a Bentley and Rolls-Royce worth over $800,000 in March 2025.

All three vehicles have since been recovered.

The man was charged with aggravated breaking and entering, stealing over the value of $60,000, taking and driving a car without consent and other offences.

He faced Parramatta Local Court on Monday, where he was remanded in custody to reappear at a later date.

City of Sydney Council announces HUGE ban

The City of Sydney Council has banned gas appliances for all new homes and businesses built from January 2026.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s council on Monday night unanimously adopted the motion banning gas from all new residential builds from December 31 to wean homes and businesses off the fossil fuel.

It’s estimated local households will save up to $626 on their power bills every year.

The new rules impact the use of stoves, ovens, heaters and coolers in all newly built apartments and houses.

Gas hot water systems will still be permitted under the current regulations.