Alleged jewel thief Haroutian Arakelian fronts court after historical arrest
The man accused of fraudulently making off with $170,000 worth of diamonds before fleeing overseas had returned to Australia three times since 21 arrest warrants were issued, a court has heard.
Inner West
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Relaxing Bondi booze ban ’will lead to drink-fuelled violence’
- Alleged Sydney graffiti ‘legend’ faces more charges
An alleged jewel thief who police say fled overseas with $170,000 worth of jewels had returned to the country three times since an arrest warrant was issued in 2002, a court has heard.
Haroutian Arakelian appeared in the Burwood Local Court today after Sydney City Fraud Unit detectives arrested him in Wentworth Point last night in relation to 21 historical arrest warrants.
However, a scramble to find the court attendance notice from all those years ago meant Arakelian has yet to be officially charged with any offences, meaning only the arrest warrants were brought before the court.
His defence barrister Stephen Stanton told the court the 52-year-old had relocated to New Zealand 16 years ago and alerted immigration authorities about his numerous trips back to Australia over the years.
“Authorities knew where he was,” Mr Stanton said.
“What brought him to authorities’ attention was he tried to establish a new business (in Sydney) and we suspect he made an application for a liquor licence and it came up on that check that he was wanted on those warrants.
“Nothing has come up in the past 16 years for the police to pursue him with any diligence.”
Police accuse Arakelian, whose family supported him in court today, of taking the diamonds and failing to return or pay for them before fleeing overseas.
Outside court, Arakelian was surprised about the events of the past 24 hours, telling reporters he knew where the jewels were and did not believe he had done anything wrong.
“They’re at cash converters,” he said.
He was granted bail on the condition he report to Burwood police station once a week.
His matter will return to court on November 15.
News tips? Email: anton.rose@news.com.au