Two guys are accused of robbing and stealing from the family before killing an elderly Sydney businessman in his own home over three years ago.
On April 29, 2020, an alleged house invasion occurred on Tallowwood Avenue in Cherrybrook, and Kalim Saliba, 86, sustained significant head injuries while defending his wife.
After being transported, he passed away at Westmead Hospital.
The 84-year-old wife of Saliba also sustained head injuries but made a full recovery in the hospital.
At around nine this morning, detectives apprehended a 33-year-old male at a Castle Hill flat.
At the Silverwater jail this morning, a 58-year-old male was taken into custody.
Both individuals were accused of murder as well as specially aggravating a break-in to commit a severe indictable crime.
Bail to appear in court today was denied to them both.
The guys had remote ties to the couple, according to Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty.
Saliba is a well-known businessman in the neighborhood, and the police will claim that it was a targeted heist.
Picking on an old couple in their own house shows how heartless, craven, and cowardly this crime was, according to Doherty. “They would have seen him as an easy target for money.”
“Two elderly, helpless people in their own home were the victims of this crime.”
Saliba, a devoted husband, grandfather, and father, was “brutally” and “horrifically” attacked, according to Doherty.
“This is the first step of a lengthy legal process,” he added. “We have put together what police will claim is a strong circumstantial case against these two men.”
According to Doherty, the guys participated in a “joint criminal enterprise.”
The husband and wife both sustained critical head injuries, according to police, he said.
Doherty claimed that the arrests were made thanks in part to the $1 million prize for information announced in December 2021.
According to him, officers have been rigorous in their investigation over the past few years and have been helping the family.
The Saliba family stated they were very appreciative of the police’s tenacity throughout the previous three years.
The family released a statement in which they expressed their gratitude for the investigating team’s efforts and assistance.
“Our family has undoubtedly experienced trauma and emotional turmoil throughout this period.
We lost a dear family member, and we still mourn their death every day.Our family begs privacy at this time while the legal procedure is ongoing.
