20 stolen boats and jet skis seized in Sydney
Police seize 12 jet skis, eight boats, and four cars from Sydney rebirthing racketThree men have been arrested and 12 jet skis, eight boats, and four cars have been seized to date during the ongoing Operation Strike Force Eastcote.
Strike Force Eastcote was launched in February 2016 to investigate re-birthing of stolen cars, jet skis and vessels across Sydney.
The ongoing joint operation involves Marine Area Command (aka the NSW Water Police) and the State Crime Command’s Property Crime Squad.
New stolen boat bust
The latest arrests occurred in south-west Sydney on Tuesday (February 14, 2017).
Following ongoing inquiries, Police officers from the Marine Area Command — with assistance from the Property Crime Squad, Public Order and Riot Squad, and Region Enforcement Squad — executed four search warrants at properties in Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Milperra and Greenacre.
While searching the respective properties, police seized three vehicles and two boats, as well as a number of engine parts that they will allege had been stolen during previous incidents.
All of the items seized will now undergo further forensic examination.
Three men aged 22, 29 and 32 were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations, where they continue to assist police with their inquiries.
Ongoing investigations
To date, Strike Force Eastcote has seized 12 jet skis, eight boats, and four cars, as part of ongoing investigations into the Sydney rebirthing racket.
But if the Facebook page from Marine Area Command is any indication, the number of boats stolen in Sydney and NSW over the past few years is nothing short of startling.
It begs the question: where do stolen vessels go?
The existence of rebirthing rackets may explain the whereabouts and fate of stolen boats and personal water craft that never resurface again.
No doubt, rebirthing rackets exists across State borders.
Rego details altered
Police will allege in court the re-birthing racket involved the stealing of cars and vessels, after which identifying registration details were subsequently altered, and the vehicles were re-sold for profit.
Investigations into the matter are continuing and charges are expected to be laid.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
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