A man has been charged over the theft of a ride share vehicle and assaulting the driver in Sydney’s north-west.
About 1.35am yesterday (Monday 24 June 2024), emergency services responded to reports of an assault at the intersection of Kindelan Road and Gibbon Road, Winston Hills.
Officers from Parramatta Police Area Command were informed a 49-year-old man was working as a ride share driver when he accepted a booking from two men – both aged 23 and known to one another – from Dorado Street, Box’s Hill, about 12.50am.
The men directed the driver to several locations including a service station on Penmure Street, Rouse Hill, at 1.05am where they purchased food items before returning to the ride share vehicle.
The driver was instructed to attend further addresses.
It will be alleged that during the journey one of the passengers became aggressive towards the driver whilst the second passenger attempted to clam the situation.
When at the intersection of Kindelan Road and Gibbon Road the driver was allegedly assaulted by the man.
Police will allege the driver ran from the vehicle – leaving his mobile phone in the vehicle – and sought assistance from a nearby resident who contacted Triple Zero.
The men have driven from the location in the ride share vehicle – a white 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the 49-year-old at the scene before he was taken to Blacktown Hospital with head and facial injuries. He has since been released.
Following inquiries, the driver’s phone was located damaged in a drain along Lambert Place, Winston Hills, about 8am.
About 9.30am the vehicle was recovered abandoned on Junction Road, Winston Hills, where it was seized for forensic examination.
Shortly after midday detectives – with the assistance of the Public Order Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a home on Lanhams Road, Winston Hills, where the man who allegedly assaulted the driver was arrested.
Whilst conducting a search of the premises officers located a small fire in the rear yard that was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW.
It will be alleged that at the source of the fire was the man’s mobile phone and clothing items that were worn by him at the time of the incident.
The man was taken to Parramatta Police Station.
It will be alleged he drove the ride share vehicle from the scene and that inquires established he was the holder of a learner’s drivers’ licence.
Whilst in custody the man allegedly hindered officers in obtaining a forensic sample from his hands.
He was charged with five offences including:
- Aggravated take/drive motor vehicle with person in/on it-inflict actual bodily harm
- Aggravated robbery and inflict actual bodily harm
- Learner not accompanied by driver/police officer/tester
- Tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
The Winston Hills man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court later today (Tuesday 25 June 2024).
