Early Tuesday morning, police in New South Wales took dramatic action to stop terror activity in the Sydney suburb of Condell Park. They arrested and arraigned three men on conspiracy to commit murder. The suspects, aged 18, 19, and 26, were apprehended while allegedly en route to carry out a planned killing near a daycare center, raising significant concerns about public safety.
The elder suspect, a 26-year-old, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and participation in a criminal group. The authorities charged his younger accomplices, 18 and 19 years old, with conspiracy to commit murder. They face additional charges for having an illegal pistol and membership in a criminal organization. The police operation was part of an ongoing effort to target individuals responsible for previous violent incidents in public spaces.
In the first incident, authorities were performing a regularly scheduled surveillance when they spotted the trio preparing for the purported crime. Officers jumped in quickly enough to stop the suspects before they could get to their intended target. Alarm bells went off because of the target’s ties to the mob. Police think that there has been a “breakdown” in the relationship between the possible victim and his potential criminal enterprise. We applaud their continuing inquiry into this matter.
Scott Cook, an assistant commissioner and state crime commander for NSW police, expressed relief that the operation prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome.
“This was a calculated and coordinated intervention that stopped what we will allege was a planned killing nearby a daycare centre – a deeply concerning scenario,” – Scott Cook
Local police told reporters that the three were strangers to their intended target. Their chosen method of carrying out the murder—in broad daylight across the street from a daycare center—risked a high level of collateral damage. Upon searching the vehicles, police found two firearms, balaclavas, body-worn cameras and two jerry cans containing petrol. These items focused solely on the earnestness of their intentions.
The officer in charge of the investigation, senior police officer Peter Faux, said the quick intervention was critical.
“We [allege that] were able to not only identify that they were going to do something serious, we were fortunately in a position to react and stop that from occurring,” – Peter Faux
Faux emphasized the threat to innocent bystanders, raising the stakes even further.
“from murdering someone and we clearly stopped other people, innocent bystanders, from being caught up in this,” – Peter Faux
Cook stressed the threat to public safety from the anticipated police strike and police determination to take down organized crime syndicates.
“They were never going to make it to any [childcare] centre. The collateral damage there would be far too great,” – Scott Cook
The three suspects have been denied bail and are due to appear in Bankstown Local Court. Quite obviously, the NSW police are committed to stopping violence before it takes place. They refuse to give up until they’ve kept their community safe.