AUBURN deputy mayor Salim Mehajer allegedly threatened the father of Sydney siege survivor Joel Herat outside a fitness club, saying he would find out where he lived and kidnap his children.

Detectives from Burwood Local Area Command have confirmed they are investigating the allegations and continuing their inquiry following the incident, which allegedly ­occurred on September 16 at Anytime Fitness.

Bruce Herat, 52, was allegedly confronted by Mr Mehajer as he made his way to his car at the business on Railway Pde at Burwood. Mr Herat recently began working at the club as a personal trainer.

The alleged conflict began inside the club when Mr Herat approached Mr Mehajer and ­requested he stop dropping weights on the floor of the gym.

When confronted, Mr Mehajer allegedly said: “Don’t you know who I am?”

Later, when Mr Herat went to his car, police were told Mr Mehajer approached him.

“I’m Salim Mehajer,” he ­allegedly said.

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

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Police have been conducting inquiries at the venue, examining CCTV footage and canvassing for witnesses.

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A NSW Police Force spokesman said the detectives were investigating “an incident involving two men” where a number of threats were allegedly made “by one of the parties”.

Witnesses to the matter are still being urged to contact Burwood police station, the spokesman said.

media_camera Joel’s father Bruce Herat was allegedly confronted by Mehajer at a gym. Picture: John Grainger media_camera Mehajer allegedly threatened to kidnap Bruce Herat’s kids. His son is Lindt Cafe siege survivor Joel Herat. Picture: Craig Greenhill

When contacted by us yesterday, Mr Mehajer advised “extreme caution” when reporting the matter. “In respect to the ­allegation, I urge extreme caution in respect to any story that my (sic) be incorrect, misconceived, misconstrued or may make ­defamatory allegations,” Mr Mehajer said.

The Herat family declined to comment. The story was first ­reported by Channel Seven.

The flamboyant deputy mayor of Auburn shot to ­national attention from relative obscurity last month following a lavish, traffic-stopping wedding in Lidcombe.

Since then he has become a focal point of community ire amid revelations of a criminal past, unsavoury associations and conflict of interest claims on his local council.

media_camera Salim Mehajer was recently re-elected as Auburn’s deputy mayor.

Earlier this month he was re-elected to Auburn City Council, courtesy of a “lucky dip”, after he and another councillor tied with four votes each on the 10-person council. Two councillors abstained from the vote.

Days later, NSW Premier Mike Baird said Mr Mehajer’s re-election was indicative of ­reforms needed in local government. “What you’re seeing there (in Auburn) is a good example of why we need reform in local councils,” Mr Baird said.