Stolen boats recovered after police raids on NSW rebirthing syndicate

Detectives have so far charged five people and recovered 26 stolen vehicles – including six boats – worth a combined $1.25 million after a series of raids across Sydney, including Ermington, Lidcombe, Granville, Kentlyn, Yennora and Telopea.

Strike Force Piddington was established earlier this year to investigate the coordinated theft, rebirthing and on-sale of stolen motor vehicles and vessels by a criminal syndicate operating across Sydney.

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Among the stolen vehicles were three purpose-built Toyota LandCruiser utes owned by the NSW Rural Fire Service with an estimated combined value of nearly $290,000.

The key to recovering the stolen boats was the arrest of a 25-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Ermington last week. Police also seized $1250 in cash.

The boats stolen include Bar Crusher, and Surtees hardtops, centre consoles, and Sea Ray.

“A short time later, investigators executed a search warrant at a home at Ermington, where they seized two stolen motorcycles with a combined estimated value of $16,850,” NSW Police said.

“Officers also seized stolen vessel equipment, two mobile phones and $4000 cash.”

The man was charged with knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and six counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on September 1.

As part of ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Piddington investigators arrested a 27-year-old man at a home at Ermington and a 32-year-old man at a home at Condell Park on Tuesday.

The younger man was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, four counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, steal motor vehicle, knowingly direct activities of a criminal group and possess prohibited drug.

He appeared at Parramatta Local Court that day, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on October 8.

The older man was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with two counts of receive motor vehicle part – theft (serious indictable offence), induce other to accept non-genuine unique identifier, two counts of dishonestly possess interfered with unique identifier, knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on September 9.

Detectives also arrested a 26-year-old man at a home at Lidcombe on Wednesday, and a 27-year-old man at a business at Seven Hills.

The younger man was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with induce other to accept non-genuine unique identifier, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and knowingly facilitate car rebirthing. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on September 24.

The older man was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and carry on business of motor vehicle repairer when unlicensed. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court also on September 24.

Financial Crimes Squad motor unit investigations coordinator Detective Chief Inspector Con Galea said police had thoroughly investigated the operations of the alleged criminal syndicate.

“Police will allege in court that these individuals were involved in a criminal syndicate linked to the theft and rebirthing of 26 cars, motorcycle, boats and trailers with a combined value of more than $1.25 million,” he said.

“These arrests should act as a warning to anyone involved in organised motor vehicle theft and rebirthing that specialist police will investigate to find you and put you before the courts,” Det Ch Insp Galea said.

Detectives for Strike Force Piddington expect to make more arrests as the investigation continues.