Four men have been charged over an alleged numberplate theft in Sydney's south west overnight.
About 2.15am today (Sunday 26 April 2026), police were called to Old Kent Road, Bankstown, following s report that several people wearing balaclavas were stealing numberplates from a parked car.
A short time later, police stopped a silver sedan on Stacey Street, Bankstown – bearing numberplates that had just been stolen from Old Kent Road, Bankstown. The three male occupants of the vehicle – aged 25, 21 and 18 – were arrested at the scene.
Police searched the vehicle. In addition to the stolen plates being displayed police located two number plates – assigned to the stopped sedan –, a lighter, two 5L jerry cans, a knife, and balaclavas. All items along with the vehicle were seized for a forensic examination.
The three men were taken to Bankstown Police Station where the oldest man was charged with larceny, unlawfully possess number plates, use class A vehicle displaying misleading etc numberplates, not comply P1 licence-no P plates (class C), and possess means of disguising face with intent to commit indictable offence.
The second man – aged 21 – was charged with larceny and possess means of disguising face with intent to commit indictable offence.
The third man was charged with larceny, possess means of disguising face with intent to commit indictable offence and custody of knife in public place.
The three men in their 20s were all refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court 7 today (Sunday 26 April 2026).
The youngest man was granted conditional bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 21 May 2026.
Inquiries continue.
