A man wanted in relation to the discovery of a body found wrapped in a plastic tarpaulin sheet and dumped in a paddock last week has been arrested.
James French, 24, evaded police since they discovered his alleged associate John Birch, 39, at a property in Glenorie, northwest Sydney, on March 14.
French was last seen jumping a fence on Old Northern Road on the same day and has been wanted for questioning since.
Police established crime scenes at the paddock and at a nearby home on the day of the discovery.
About 2pm on Sunday, tactical officers arrested French as he slept in a car at a home in Glenorie.
Birch was reported missing by family the night before his body was found.
A family member then directed police to the location of the Nepean man’s body on March 14.
‘He was taken to Castle Hill Police Station where inquiries are ongoing,’ a police spokeswoman said.
The body of John Birch, 39, was discovered half-buried on a northwest Sydney property
Police attended the property at the time and began a search for 24-year-old James French
Two men, aged 24 and 34, and a woman, 35, were arrested earlier and taken to Castle Hill Police Station.
They were, however, released pending further investigation.
The Hills Police Area Commander Superintendent Naomi Moore said police found French at a home they had previously searched.
‘It’s an address that’s known to us and known to him. Today it was part of our follow-up, we went there and located him in a vehicle sleeping on the property,’ she told media outside Castle Hill Police Station, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘These people were known to each other, it was not a random attack.’
She said French was likely tired following the search and police have been feeding him before they begin questioning him.
‘When he’s ready, we will offer him an opportunity to be spoken to,’ Superintendent Moore said.
A post-mortem examination of Birch’s body suggested he had died from a ‘blunt force injury’, the the inspection was inconclusive.
Police thanked the community for their patience as heavily armed police searched for French
French had reportedly been sleeping in backyards as he evaded police capture
Police alleged Birch and French were associates in the drug trade.
Superintendent Moore thanked the local community for their patience after police combed the sleepy suburb.
‘There’s been reports of this person camping in backyards,’ she said, according to the Daily Telegraph.
‘That comes with fear. The community were no doubt in fear while they waited for us to do our jobs … today is a good day for us to be able to alleviate that fear.’
