Police search for bad Santa after theft of high performance Mercedes from Zetland

Police have said a man who dressed in a Santa suit to steal a high performance vehicle from a car park in Zetland planned his movements and has likely stolen other cars.

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POLICE have said a man who dressed in a Santa suit to steal a high performance vehicle from a car park in Zetland planned his movements and has likely stolen other cars.

Superintendent Andrew Holland has appealed for public assistance after a green Mercedes, worth $150,000 was stolen from an underground carpark on Defries Ave, Zetland last month.

A 32-year-old woman parked her vehicle at the carpark at around 6pm on Saturday December 8.

Police are seeking public assistance to help track down a man who stolen a Mercedes from a car park in Zetland last month.

When she returned to the carpark the next day at 1pm, her car was gone.

Supt Holland said he will be “very surprised if the man hasn’t been involved in other vehicle thefts given the amount of planning involved.”

“Our concern is that he has entered the underground carpark after tailing a vehicle in,” he said.

“He has also then disabled the mechanism which controls the carpark gates.

“So if he has used this once it is possible he has done other offences somewhere.”

Following investigations, Strike Force Dhoti have been able to track the man’s movements leading up to the event.

Police have released CCTV vision in an appeal for public assistance after a Mercedes was stolen from a unit complex near Redfern last month.

“We have information now that he was possibly dressed in white overalls outside, he has been seen in the vicinity of the Zetland area around half an hour leading to the event,” Supt Holland said.

“We’re looking to speak with people who may have seen a man in white overalls around the Zetland area at that time.

‘I’d say it’s definitely a targeted incident.

“Residents should be aware of where they park in the premises, making sure when they drive into their premises, no one is tailgating them.

Superintendent Andrew Holland has appealed for public assistance after a green Mercedes, worth $150,000 was stolen from an underground carpark on Defries Ave, Zetland last month

“It’s just personal safety; we just need to make sure people are aware of it.”

The vehicle has not yet been located.

The man has been described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, aged in his 30s and of medium build.

“Stealing is unacceptable, and our investigators will continue to pursue all leads to crack this case,” Supt Holland said.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.