Restaurant worker kidnapped for having ‘fingers in the till’
Police are investigating the alleged kidnapping of a restaurant worker who had been 'caught with his fingers in the till'.
The owner of Vietnamese family-run Mama Hong's at Lane Cove on Sydney’s lower North shore, allegedly kidnapped the worker, took him to an unknown location and assaulted him, before dumping in a park.
Restaurant co-owner Ann Ngo, 37, the father of Ms Ngo’s children and one other accomplice were charged with kidnapping and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company.
Mama Hong's, a bakery and cafe which served homemade Vietnamese classics such as pho and banh mi, has been open since April 2021and was run by the mother of two.
“We don't have uni degrees, but we know how to work hard and with love,” Ngo said of the restaurant.
“Our parents escaped the war in Vietnam for a chance at a better life. Through their sacrifices, we have been blessed with the opportunity to do this.”
The 22-year-old employee, Dominic Tran, is alleged to have opened the cash register after the restaurant had closed at about 9pm.
“A short time later, two men - aged 37 and 28 - entered the business before they allegedly assaulted the 22-year-old man,” police said in a statement.
“The 22-year-old man was then driven to an unknown location, where [Ngo] entered the vehicle and allegedly assaulted him,” police allege.
Tran was treated for head and facial injuries at Royal North Shore Hospital.
The next morning officers arrested Ngo’s accomplices, before arresting Ngo, who was refused bail.
A later attempt at bail was granted in the Supreme Court on May 13 on the condition that Ngo not associate or communicate with her alleged co-offenders or the their alleged victim.
The three will appear in Burwood Local Court later this month.
The restaurant which has been closed, will reopen as Pho Bar.
Irit Jackson, 18th July 2022
