Lindt siege survivor the target of alleged kidnap threat by Auburn deputy mayor

Just days after Salim Mehajer was returned to office 7 News can reveal he is being investigated over alleged threats to kidnap a man’s children.

In an extraordinary twist, the alleged target is a young survivor of December’s Lindt Café siege.

Salim Mehajer was at his palatial Lidcombe home today but was not in a chatty mood.

Questions from 7 News were drowned out.

Those questions were about allegations Auburn’s deputy mayor threatened to kidnap a man’s children.

Bruce Herat is the father of Joel Herat, a softly spoken, polite, respectful survivor of the Lindt Siege.

Police have been told the threats were made at a gymnasium in Burwood after Bruce Herat, an employee there, asked Salim Mehajer to stop mistreating the equipment.

Seven News has been told the local councilor shot back with: “Don’t you know who I am?”

The most serious allegation made to police is that Mr Mehajer confronted Mr Herat in a car park 20 minutes later as he left the gym.

“Don’t you know who I am,” he’s alleged to have repeated.

“I’m Salim Mehajer. I’m going to take this further, I’m going to find out where you live and have your kids kidnapped.”

Bruce Herat did not return Seven News’ calls today. Salim Mehajer was certainly not speaking and police offered only a brief statement.

“…An incident involving two men aged 29 and 52, where a number of threats where allegedly made by one of the parties,” it said.

“Police are appealing for anyone with knowledge of this incident to contact Burwood Police.”

Several nights ago Salim Mehajer was re-elected Auburn’s deputy mayor.

The wealthy property developer’s dealings and these allegation would likely have never had any attention paid to them had he not brought attention on himself in July with what was referred to by some as ‘the wedding of the century’.

The ceremony was resplendent with helicopters, prestige cars, red carpets, bikies and standover men.