Aspiring actor Isaac Becu was ‘smash and grab gang’s driver’

The police strike force tasked with dismantling African gangs in Western Sydney alleges an aspiring actor was the getaway driver for a group of thieves targeting electrical outlet stores.

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A budding actor who is ­alleged to be the getaway driver for thieves targeting electrical stores in Sydney is behind bars after being refused bail.

Isaac Becu, who has posed for modelling shots on agency websites in the hope of landing acting roles, ­appeared in Mount Druitt Local Court yesterday after being ­arrested during a raid on his Colyton home on Wednesday.

Police allege the 20-year-old acted as the driver for others in several “swarming” stealing incidents targeting stores in June.

Charges have been laid against two males, and another remains wanted, as part of ongoing investigations into stealing offences at retail stores by Strike Force Arpen.

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Officers then raided his family home and allegedly seized a Taurus air pistol, electronic ­devices and a Jeep Patriot.

Becu was charged with four counts of larceny, two counts of receiving and disposing stolen property, possessing an unauthorised pistol and participating in a criminal group con­tributing to criminal activity.

Court documents reveal he is accused of stealing several electronic items from his employer Legend Corporate in Seven Hills.

While working as a clerk at the IT company, Becu allegedly stole a thermal imaging camera, a wireless network camera and a cable cutter, according to the documents.

Strike Force Arpen officers in action.

Isaac Becu is an aspiring actor.

Defence lawyer Susanna Tenner told the court her client did not deny driving the car but denied any knowledge of what the others were doing during the alleged thefts in June.

“I appreciate that he’s alleged to be the driver … he doesn’t step back from driving to the different places — only that he denies knowing what the others were doing when he drove them to the different locations,” Ms ­Tenner said.

But Magistrate Stephen Corry questioned this and ­refused bail.

“He’s (allegedly) a driver for a group of people that are ­stealing property from JB Hi Fi,” the magistrate said.

Police all seized a Jeep as part of their investigations. Picture: NSW Police

“To say that he wouldn’t be aware of their actions, especially if they go to other stores … I wouldn’t see that necessarily as a weak prosecution case.”

Before raiding Becu’s house, police searched a Minchinbury home on August 1 and seized several items allegedly connected to multiple thefts.

A 16-year-old boy, who was already in custody relating to other matters, was charged with 12 further counts of larceny and participating in a criminal group over that raid.

He will appear in a children’s court on August 20.

The seized replica firearm police found during the search. Picture: NSW Police

Police also searched two Mount Druitt houses on Wednesday connected to a 15-year-old boy already in custody and a 23-year-old man who remains wanted.

In June, NSW Police established Strike Force Arpen to ­investigate and crackdown on the smash and grab thefts by groups of young males of African appearance across Sydney.

Detective Inspector Glyndwr Baker put offenders on notice.

“Strike Force Arpen will continue to pursue all avenues of ­investigation until all the ­offenders are before the court,” he said. “The community continue to work closely with Strike Force Arpen investigators.”