Four men have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal syndicates involved in the theft and on-sale of vehicles across Sydney.
In November last year, detectives from the Financial Crime Squad's Motor Unit established Strike Force Swete to investigate alleged break and enter offences where luxury and high-performance vehicles were stolen across Sydney.
So far during the investigation, three men have been charged over their alleged involvement;
- Just before 2pm on Friday 12 February 2021, two men – aged 52 and 29 – were arrested at a house on Heffron Road, Lalor Park and taken to Quakers Hill Police Station.
A search warrant was executed at the house, where police seized a 2019 Mercedes C220, which was reported stolen from a house in Bella Vista the previous day, cannabis and ice.
The older man was charged with receive motor vehicle part-theft-serious indictable offence and two counts of possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and appear before Parramatta Local Court, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 4 March 2021.
The younger man was charged with possess prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on Monday 15 March 2021.
- A 35-year-old man was arrested at a home in Magga Dan Road, Tregear on Tuesday 16 February 2021. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with three counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence, three counts of steal motor vehicle and five counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
A search warrant was executed at the house, where investigators seized keys to a Subaru and Audi, mobile phones, clothing and other items relevant to the investigation.
Police will allege in court the man was involved in break, enter and theft incidents at Sylvania, Gledswood Hills, Harrington Park and Bella Vista.
He was refused bail and appeared before Mt Druitt Local Court the same day, where he was formally refused bail to reappear before the same court on Wednesday 21 April 2021.
- Last Friday (12 February 2021), a 30-year-old man was arrested on Hall Street, St Marys, and charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
Police will allege in court the man was attempting to sell a motorcycle – that had been reported stolen from a house in Rosebery the day prior – via an online marketplace. The motorcycle was seized, and the man is due to appear before Penrith Local Court on Monday 15 March 2021.
- About 9.15am today (Wednesday 24 February 2021), a 19-year-old man was arrested at a home in Schofields and charged with eight counts of receive/dispose stolen property and three counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in break, enter and steal offences that occurred in West Hoxton and Glenhaven.
He was refused bail to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court today (Wednesday 24 February 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Swete are ongoing.
Anyone with information that could assist strike force detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
