Two more charged over alleged public transport offence - Op Waratah 2

Monday, 09 December 2024 11:43:27 AM

Please note: NSWPF branded vision of 10 images of people who police believe can assist them during the operation are available via hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/3dWnRSi3Fs

Police have arrested and charged two more men in state’s norther region, as a part of an investigation under Operation Waratah 2.

On Friday 29 November 2024, officers attached to Police Transport Command commenced an investigation under Operation Waratah 2, targeting Sydney’s public transport offenders involved in assaults and sexual touching incidents, following the success of Operation Waratah earlier this year.

As a part of investigation, police initially released photos of 15 people, who they believe can assist police with their inquiries - three people have since been identified.

Following further inquiries, police arrested another two men on Saturday (7 December 2024):

• A 40-year-old man was arrested in the Davistown area. Police will allege he committed a sexual act on a train in front of a woman at Strathfield Railway Station on Thursday 1 August 2024. He was taken to Gosford Police Station and charged with carry out sexual act with another without consent. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 28 January 2024.

• A 26-year-old man was arrested in the Waratah area. Police will allege the man assaulted a teenager at Blacktown Railway Station about 11am on Monday 3 June 2024. He was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with affray. He was issued court attendance notice to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 23 January 2025.

As investigations under Operation Waratah 2 continue, police are appealing for public assistance to identify 10 people who they believe can assist with their inquiries:

Incident C: About 9.45pm Saturday 28 September 2024, police were called to Lidcombe Railway Station, following reports of a sexual touching incident. Officers were told an unknown man had allegedly sexually touched himself multiple times in front of a woman while on a train at Flemington Railway Station before leaving the train. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident E: About 8.20pm Sunday 2 June 2024, police were called to Quakers Hill Railway Station, following reports of an assault. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had allegedly pushed a 53-year-old man out of the train resulting in the man inuring his head. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident F: About 3.30pm Tuesday 29 October 2024, police were called to Cabramatta Railway Station, following reports of a child sexual touching incident. Officers arrived and were told a 14-year-old boy had allegedly been sexually touched by an unknown man while on a train before the man left the train. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident H: About 7.50am Tuesday 8 October 2024, police were called to Fairfield Railway Station, following reports of an assault. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had allegedly assaulted an NSW Transport worker on a train between Cabramatta and Canley Vale Railway Station. During the alleged assault the man also allegedly threatened to kill the worker before leaving the train. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident I: About 4.20pm Thursday 24 October 2024, police were called to Revesby Railway Station, following reports of an assault. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had allegedly punched a 64-year-old man in the head multiple times while he was attempting to put his walking frame in a car. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident J: About 6pm Wednesday 14 August 2024, police were called to Waratah Street, Punchbowl, following reports a bus driver was assaulted. Officers arrived and were told a bus driver was allegedly assaulted by two unknown men after he asked them to stop drinking alcohol on the bus. During the alleged assault the two men punched the driver in the head, threw alcohol on him and threatened to stab him before leaving. As inquiries continue police have released an image of two men who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

About K: About 8.30pm Thursday 19 September 2024, police were called to a university in Macquarie Park, following reports of an assault. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had allegedly spat on a 13- and 12-year-old girl multiple times and threw garbage at them while on a bus. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident L: About 3.10pm Sunday 29 September 2024, police were called to a bus depot in Ryde, following reports of an assault. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man and woman had entered a bus where they allegedly threw food and made threats towards children. During the incident, the man also allegedly pointed a homemade flamethrower towards a mother and her child and created a burst of flame. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man and woman who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident M: About 3.30pm Monday 19 August 2024, police were called to a shopping centre in Frenchs Forest, following reports of a sexual incident. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had sexually touched himself multiple times and made sexual comments to a 15-year-old girl. While sexually touching himself the man followed the girl between multiple buses before she was able to flee from the man. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Incident N: About 4am Monday 21 October 2024, police were called to Tuggerah Railway Station, following reports of a sexual touching incident. Officers arrived and were told an unknown man had sexually touched a 51-year-old woman using a gap between the seats while on a train. As inquiries continue police have released an image of a man who may be able to assist police in their investigation.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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