Police are trying to understand the motive behind the alleged kidnapping of a Sydney man who they say was held captive and tortured for five days.
Peter Vuong, 26, was found last night inside an empty home at Belmore where police say he'd been tortured and had his teeth removed whilst held captive since last Thursday.
Six men have been arrested and charged over the alleged kidnapping.
READ MORE: Baby dies days after crash that killed mum, brother
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said the level of violence used in the incident was extreme.
"The male had been bound, tied up, had his face covered, sustained numerous injuries, facial injuries and had his teeth forcibly removed," he said.
"Firearms were used, sledgehammers were used, the male was tortured."
Police allege Vuong's captors placed a gun in his mouth at times and filmed him begging for help.
Dozens of police – including tactical and undercover officers – were involved in the top secret rescue mission.
Doueihi said dozens of police were sent to rescue Vuong within 30 minutes of police finding out where he was being held hostage.
"As soon as we discovered the man was on that premises, in order to preserve life we invoked emergency powers in order to enter the premises and retrieve that hostage," he said.
READ MORE: Tradie left with $2500 legal bill after Australia Post bungle
Police will allege the 26-year-old small business owner was kidnapped from his bed in front of his girlfriend inside his Smithfield home by a group of six men wearing dark clothing, masks and armed with a sledgehammer and fire extinguisher.
Vuong was allegedly dragged down the stairs and thrown over a gate by the group before they bundled him into a car.
The kidnappers then allegedly demanded a ransom from Vuong's associates.
"We set a price 5mil ($5 million) … if you cant meet up 2 our requirements we cut ur boy up bit by bit until you give us what we want," they allegedly sent on an encrypted device.
"Want his body in pieces? Get the 5mil ready", one message allegedly said.
"You have 24h to cough up something nice. We waiting, times ticking."
Police alleged the group was part of a "criminal enterprise" trying to "extort a large sum of money from this man and this man's associates".
"We will allege this group repeatedly assaulted and tortured the man over a six-day period," Doueihi said.
Doueihi said Vuong is not known to police.
"Our investigation is continuing as to how and why this man was abducted and the motive behind it."
A week before the kidnapping, Vuong was also allegedly attacked at his Smithfield property.
Police were called and the family then installed bright lights around their home.
READ MORE: US drone brought down by Russian fighter jet
Of the six men arrested over the alleged kidnapping, two were from a house behind where they had allegedly been keeping the hostage on Canterbury Road.
A 19-year-old man found inside the house with the hostage was arrested.
Police also arrested other men allegedly involved in the kidnapping at vehicle stops at Belmore and Mays Hill.
Detectives from the robbery and serious crime squad kept Vuong's family in protection while they searched him.
All of the men allegedly involved in the kidnapping were taken to Campsie and Granville police stations and have been charged with numerous offences including kidnapping for a ransom, aggravated break and enter and causing grievous bodily harm.
All men faced court today.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
