Two arrested for stolen luxury car syndicate which onsold Mercedes used in Walid Ahmad execution

UPDATE: A criminal syndicate which allegedly broke into homes stealing high-performance cars allegedly onsold a luxury Mercedes used in the gangland execution of Walid Ahmad.

A CRIMINAL syndicate which allegedly broke into homes across Western Sydney and the Central Coast stealing high-performance cars allegedly onsold a luxury Mercedes used in the gangland execution of Walid Ahmad.

Heavily armed police arrested Luke Krasser, 20, and Harry Kalal, 21, in dawn raids at Plumpton and Greystanes on Wednesday.

Police said yesterday said more arrests were expected.

Walid "Wally" Ahmad was shot dead in broad daylight at Bankstown Central.

Hitman Hamad Assaad is believed to have carried out the hit on Ahmad.

One of the men arrested over a high-performance car criminal syndicate yesterday.

At least 11 high-performance cars, five trail bikes, and other property valued at more than $680,000 were allegedly stolen between May and July this year.

Investigators believe the stolen vehicles were then onsold and used in the commission of a number of other serious offences, of which investigations are ongoing, such as armed robbery, murder and car-rebirthing.

Some of the cars allegedly stolen include a red Jeep Cherokee SRT, two Mercedes AMG’s, a Ford Mustang, a red Holden Commodore SS and a Jaguar XE.

CCTV shows a hooded figure approach Walid Ahmad at Centro Bankstown. There is no suggestion the men arrested this week were linked to the hit.

Ahmad can be seen lying on the ground before the hitman shoots him.

There is no suggestion the two men arrested had any knowledge of what the vehicle was intended to be used for.

Ahmad was shot dead in broad daylight at Centro Bankstown in April 2016.

He died in a hail of bullets as he and two others were ambushed by a masked gunman on the rooftop carpark.

Ahmad, a Mr Big among Sydney’s Middle Eastern crime gangs, was on the run after the fatal shooting of Safwan Charbaji in 2016.

The Mercedes was used as a getaway car and was later found burned out in nearby Greenacre.

It is understood Ahmad was gunned down by hitman Hamad Assaad who was himself later shot dead on the driveway of his Georges Hall home.

“There will be further arrests. We believe we have effectively dismantled a criminal syndicate that had been organised for some time stealing in high-performance motor vehicles,” Property Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Murray Chapman said yesterday.

“There will be quite a few more arrests and those people know who they are and they should be quite nervous.

“Breaking into a home while people are home to steal car keys is a growing trend across Australia ... and we would want to remind the community they need to take precautions.”

A white Mercedes was used as the getaway vehicle and was later found burnt out. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Alleged “mastermind” Kalal was charged with four counts of dispose motor vehicle, where theft is serious indictable offence; and knowingly deal in the proceeds of crime.

“In regards to the 21-year-old male, we’ll be alleging he is one of the key masterminds of this group and facilitated or organised the thefts of the motor vehicles,” Supt Chapman said.

It is understood police will allege Kalal used the money he made from his alleged crimes to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Hitman Hamad Assaad was gunned down in the driveway of his Georges Hall home.

He was refused bail in Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday to reappear in September.

Krasser was refused bail in Mt Druitt Local Court yesterday charged with 14 counts of aggravated break and enter, 11 counts of steal motor vehicle and knowingly deal in the proceeds of crime. He will also reappear in September.

Court documents allege he broke into properties at Beaumont Hills, Bardia, Cranebrook, Harrington Park, Emu Plains, Woronora Heights, Kellyville, Elderslie, Beacon Hill, Breakfast Point, Wilton, Norah Head and Seaforth.