NSW police charge man with 37 offences as part of ongoing investigation into car theft syndicate

A man will face court today charged with more than 35 offences related to the coordinated theft of earth moving equipment, heavy vehicles and cars across south-west Sydney.

As part of ongoing proactive operations targeting coordinated vehicle theft, detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Motor Unit conducted a business compliance inspection at a location suspected to be an unlicensed motor vehicle dismantler at Rossmore on Tuesday 28 January 2020.

During the inspection, police identified nine stolen vehicles on the premises, which were subsequently recovered.

After it was confirmed that the 37-year-old male owner was not licensed to be operating the business, he was directed to cease operations.

Strike Force Kyarra was subsequently established to investigate the theft of the vehicles and associated suspected illicit activities.

Following inquiries and acting on information from strike force detectives, officers from Australian Border Force intercepted a shipping container after it arrived at Port Botany on Wednesday 29 July 2020 to be exported.

The container was taken to the Sydney Container Examination Facility before being seized by police and confirmed to contain three stolen excavators.

Inquiries also revealed the man had re-established his unauthorised business at another rural property in Sydney’s south-west.

Just after 9am yesterday (Thursday 13 August 2020), strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a business at Austral.

During the search, police located a Scania truck – which was in the process of being stripped – a Kubota

excavator, a low loader trailer, an engine belonging to Volvo prime mover, a Yamaha jet ski with trailer, an Audi Q7, a Toyota Rav 4 and a Borcat trailer, all of which were confirmed stolen.

The now 38-year-old man was arrested on the property and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with 19 counts of knowingly deal in proceeds of crime, ten counts of receiving stolen motor vehicles, four counts of dispose of motor vehicle, three counts of steal motor vehicle, and participate in a criminal group.

He has been refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court later today (Friday 14 August 2020).

To date, Strike Force Kyarra detectives have seized or recovered 14 stolen motor vehicles and six excavators, with a total value of more than $1.3 million.

Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.

Anyone with information about organised car theft and re-birthing is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

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