Grenade found after drive-by attack in suburban Sydney

A grenade and guns have been found in a getaway car after an early morning attack on a suburban home in Sydney’s north-west after police were called to a drive-by shooting.

Emergency services were called to Loura Street in Tallawong at 4.40am on Thursday following reports of loud bangs, presumed to be gunshots, ringing out in the quiet neighbourhood.

Police were told two unknown people tried to bash their way into the home using a sledgehammer, before leaving and then returning a short time later and firing a number of shots into the house.

A “device” was thrown into the home, leaving a scorch mark on the floor, Superintendent Jason Joyce said, adding that investigations were under way to determine exactly what it was.

The two occupants of the home were uninjured.

The attackers fled in a Mazda which came to a stop on Ashburton Street, from where they fled on foot.

Police searched the vehicle and located a live grenade, two guns, one of which was loaded, a firearm magazine, a mobile phone and other items including bleach and clothing.

“It obviously puts my police officers at risk and the whole community at risk, and, obviously if not handled properly, it puts the two persons involved at risk as well,” Joyce said.

Gloves, balaclavas and hoodies were found in nearby parkland.

Police bomb squad and ADF experts were called to remove the grenade.

Specialist police swarmed the scene on Thursday, some wearing shirts suggesting they were trained to deal with clandestine drug labs. Some inspected a second vehicle parked nearby that had Victorian plates.

The grenade represents a dramatic escalation in Sydney’s gangland attacks.

Earlier on Thursday, gang squads arrested two 21-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy, alleging they were involved in a shooting over a “business feud”.

The investigation earlier this month had involved seizing two “kill cars” – a Volkswagen Jetta and Suzuki Jimny with stolen plates – at Ingleburn and Minto.

A pistol and magazine were found in a nearby bush reserve.

The trio will appear before court on Thursday.

Anyone with information related to the incidents is urged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.