Police in Sydney have charged two teenagers following the alleged kidnapping of an elderly woman during a home invasion in the city’s south-western suburbs last year.

 

According to a report by Nine News Australia, the incident occurred in November when a group of five armed men allegedly forced their way into a house on St Johns Road in the suburb of Cabramatta. The suspects are believed to have detained a woman, aged 72, during the incident.

 

Investigators later spoke to a 75-year-old woman who had been hospitalised with minor injuries. She told police that the victim had been held for two days before the matter came to light.

 

The case prompted authorities to establish Strike Force Kegar to investigate the alleged abduction. Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad carried out several operations as part of the investigation.

 

According to the NSW Police Force, officers seized two vehicles believed to be linked to the case and executed crime-scene warrants at residential properties in Carramar and Revesby, which investigators suspect were used as bases by those involved.

 

Police arrested an 18-year-old man on Wednesday after searching a property in West Kempsey. He was taken to Kempsey Police Station, where he was charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping. The teenager was refused bail and is expected to appear before Fairfield Court next month.

 

Later the same day, officers conducted another search at a residence in Cartwright, where a 16-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station. The teenager has also been charged with several offences linked to the alleged kidnapping, including special aggravated breaking in while armed with a weapon.

 

The younger suspect was denied bail and is scheduled to appear before the Children’s Court.

 

Police say investigations into the incident are continuing as detectives work to identify and locate other individuals believed to have been involved in the alleged kidnapping.