Members of a second “kill crew” alleged to have given the orders that resulted in the horrific alleged kidnapping and murder of Sydney mum Thi Kim Tran have been arrested and charged with murder.
Between December 16 and March 18, police arrested five men and charged each with of them with murder as well as a litany of other charges in association with Ms Tran’s death.
Ms Tran was taken from her home in April last year in what police said was a “ruthless” kidnapping at the hands of “young criminals”. An eight-year-old boy living at the property was struck with a baseball bat, police said.
After her alleged kidnapping, Ms Tran’s body was found in a burnt-out car by emergency services a few hours later. She was shot dead and left in the vehicle as it burned.
Police said Ms Tran and her children were “likely targeted as a result of (Ms Tran’s) partner’s (alleged) involvement with an organised criminal network based in Victoria”.
“As inquiries continued, detectives identified a second alleged crew who, that same night, waited at a rural property in Victoria for Ms Tran’s husband with the intention of killing him,” police said.
“When he failed to appear, Sydney-based offenders allegedly kidnapped Ms Tran in a bid to force his compliance before ultimately killing her.”
A 26-year-old man was arrested on December 16, 2025 in Monterey, in Sydney’s south, before being charged with murder, two counts of conspiring and agreeing to murder, possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence, and participating in a criminal group.
On January 16, a 22-year-old man was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with murder, two counts of conspiring and agreeing to murder, participating in a criminal group and two counts of failing to give access to his digital devices.
On February 21, a 30-year-old man was arrested by detectives at Sydney Airport and charged with murder, two counts of conspiring and agreeing to murder, possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammo without a licence and participating in a criminal group.
On March 18, two men aged 18 and 25 were arrested in Silverwater, in western Sydney, and Lithgow, in the state’s Central Tablelands.
They were charged with murder, two counts of conspiring and agreeing to murder and participating in a group criminal activity.
The 22-year-old arrested at Sydney Airport was allegedly a member of the Sydney crew, while the others have been charged for their alleged roles in the Victorian crew.
All cases remain before the courts.
Police said Ms Tran was taken from her home just before 10.30pm on April 17 last year.
“Officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command arrived and were told a group of unknown people had forced their way into a home before allegedly kidnapping a 45-year-old woman,” a police spokesman said.
“During the incident police were told the alleged kidnappers – who were armed with a firearm – assaulted an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat before forcing the woman into an SUV.
“The boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for head injuries before being taken to hospital for further treatment. A 15-year-old boy who was also in the home at the time was taken to hospital for assessment.”
Police said that about 11.30pm, emergency services were called to the scene of a car fire on Welfare Ave in Beverley Hills.
After the vehicle was extinguished, police said Ms Tran was found “bound and gagged” in the back of the vehicle, and evidence showed she had been shot before the car had been set alight.
Four people have previously been charged and remain before the courts.
More to come
