Alleged kidnappers targeted Sydney woman because of husband, police say

Police believe two armed men who tried to abduct a woman who was changing a blown tyre had targeted her because of her husband, before brave bystanders intervened and forced the would-be kidnappers to flee.

Officers were called to Browne Parade in Warwick Farm about 2.30pm on Tuesday, following reports of an assault.

According to video seen by this masthead, officers found an emotionally distraught woman sitting in the gutter, surrounded by members of the public. Her hatchback, parked nearby, had a flat tyre.

Police allege two men had been watching the woman from a Liverpool carpark and followed her car to Browne Parade in a Kia SUV.

When she pulled over to change the tyre, they allegedly approached with a black 20-centimetre flick knife.

The men robbed the woman for her iPhone 15 and pressed the knife into her back, trying to drag her into their SUV.

Police allege members of the public intervened and the men fled in the vehicle. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated her for facial and leg injuries before she was taken to hospital.

Police have been told the alleged assailants had uttered her husband’s name, though he is not accused of any wrongdoing.

“The inquiries we’ve made is (the victim) not known to these males, but that will be part of the ongoing investigation,” Acting Inspector Andrew Sweeney told media.

“Obviously, it’s a very scary incident,” he said. “We do believe it is a targeted attack.”

Police had not determined whether her tyres had been tampered with to make her stop.

Eyewitness John Waters said one of the would-be kidnappers walked up behind the woman and hit her, then dragged her down the road before abruptly fleeing the scene.

“She was yelling and that but I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about, I didn’t know what was going on,” Waters told Nine News.

“When the other car pulled up, he just let her go and jumped into his car. If I was a bit younger I would’ve jumped in and probably would’ve belted the bloke.”

At 4pm on Tuesday, police arrested Mohammed Thahirdeen, 22, on the riverbank of Duck Creek, Auburn and Saer Elcharr, 24, on West Street, Auburn.

Witnesses said a dozen police cars filled the short streets around the Auburn dog park and officers were spotted dusting a Kia for fingerprints.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe, the suspects are in custody,” one officer told a concerned local.

Both men were charged with robbery armed with offensive weapon, and aggravated robbery and use of corporal violence.

Neither Thahirdeen or Elcharr appeared in Parramatta Local Court when their matters were briefly mentioned by Legal Aid on Wednesday. They will return to court on July 30.

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