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The mysterious associate of the Hamzy clan who was allegedly kidnapped in an exclusive Sydney suburb has been living in a luxurious $6 million mansion with sea views while out on bail.
Rodrigo Henríquez, 39, was allegedly attacked with a crowbar and then thrown into a car by a group of men outside his home on Oyama Avenue in Manly at around 9:30am on Sunday.
Witnesses contacted police who stopped the Toyota Hilux some 11km away on Warringah Road in Forestville a short time later.
Four men were arrested and Henriquez was taken to the hospital for treatment where he was treated for injuries.
Rodrigo Henríquez lives in a $2.35 million house (pictured) in Manly, on Sydney’s northern beaches
Property records show the house has rented for $4,100 a week since December 2020
The multi-million dollar Northern Beaches home at the center of the alleged kidnapping has been rented since December 2020.
The four-bedroom house, which features a pool and overlooks Manly Beach, spans 5,000 square feet and costs $4,100 per week.
Property records show the home was purchased for $2,355,000 in 2007, but is worth as much as $6.79 million in today’s market.
While little is known about Henriquez, he was allegedly involved in a high-profile fight between Sydney’s warring gangs, the Alameddine and Hamzy networks, at Ballina airport in February 2021.
Footage of the incident allegedly shows Ghassan Amoun, a senior Hamzy member, and Henriquez trading blows with Alammeddine ally John Ray Bayssarri and another associate.
Henríquez was charged with brawling and is out on bail while the matter continues in court.
Rodrigo Henríquez is photographed during an alleged fight in Ballina in February 2021
Sunday’s alleged kidnapping has unsettled residents of Manly, where homeowners pay an average of $4,065,000 for a home in the popular beachside suburb.
A local resident told Nine News that he called police after seeing four men wearing ski masks waiting in a car for Henriquez and then pounced on him as he drove by.
Police were allegedly forced to chase the car through Forestville after it failed to stop when officers tried to stop the Toyota Hilux.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop on Starkey Street after officers deployed spikes across the road.
The four arrested men were taken to Manly Police Station and charged by detectives overnight.
Talonoa Leaaetoa, Henry Kupa, Erica Hema and Sonny Siope Puleiku, aged between 19 and 25, have each been charged with five offences.
They include kidnapping in company with serious intent prosecutable reason: actual bodily harm; participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity; being transported in a means of transport taken without the consent of the owner; face blackened/disguised with intent to commit an indictable offense; and scuffle.
Leaaetoa, 24, of Sefton, was also charged with police pursuit – failure to stop – reckless driving; and the use of an offensive weapon to prevent lawful arrest.
The property has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a swimming pool and a closed double garage. In the photo the living room
The backyard, which has a pool and outdoor dining area, overlooks Manly Beach
The group did not face Hornsby Local Court on Monday when their charges were first raised.
Their lawyer, Mahmoud Abbas, told the media that it was “too early to make a determination” about what will happen in the future, but confirmed that the men would file a request for their release.
“It is too soon to determine what the evidence is, but once all the relevant material is released, we will make a determination and proceed from there,” he said.
Abbas had not yet contacted his clients when he left court, but said he was “sure they are okay.”
“At this stage it is an allegation and everyone has the right to silence and the presumption of innocence,” he said.
The matter was adjourned to be heard at Manly Local Court in March.
Henríquez has now been released from the hospital.
The alleged abduction occurred in the exclusive suburbs of Sydney’s northern beaches. A handcuffed man is shown.