Alleged crime syndicate members Michael Clark, Lai Dobson, Jake Cavaliere charged after car thefts across NSW

Three men have been charged after their alleged involvement in the theft of 17 cars worth upwards of $750,000. Two of the accused were nabbed after a wild pursuit on the Mid-North Coast.

Three men believed to be part of a criminal syndicate have been charged after their alleged involvement in the theft of 17 cars worth upwards of $750,000.

Strike Force Alboraya, led by the State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad, launched a probe to investigate a criminal syndicate’s involvement in the theft of motor vehicles.

Following investigations, strike force detectives arrested Michael Clark, 35, in Annandale at about 5.45pm on Thursday, October 29.

In footage released by police of his arrest, he was sporting a T-shirt reading ‘here for a good time not a long time’.

He was taken to Newtown Police Station and charged with four steal motor vehicle-related offences and for participating in a criminal group.

Clark, of Kingscliff, was refused bail and appeared in Newtown Local Court on Wednesday, October 30.

He is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on November 27.

Three men have been arrested over their alleged involvement in mass car thefts across NSW. Picture: NSW Police.

About 12pm on Wednesday, November 6, Mid-North Coast Police officers attempted to stop two men in an allegedly stolen car at Warrell Creek, some 50 kilometres from Kempsey.

A lengthy pursuit was then initiated on two occasions but terminated due to safety concerns before road spikes were successfully deployed on the Pacific Mwy at Kempsey.

One occupant – Jake Cavaliere, 33 – allegedly attempted to carjack other vehicles before fleeing into bushland.

The other occupant – Lai Dobson, 34 – allegedly attempted to continue to drive the car, but also ended up fleeing into nearby scrub.

A short time later, both were arrested and taken to hospital after Dobson suffered a medical episode.

Cavaliere required treatment for injuries he suffered while running from police.

They were then taken to Port Macquarie Police Station and charged with offences relating to the police pursuit and were refused bail before appearing in Kempsey Local Court the next day.

NSW Police vision shows the moment a man is arrested in Annandale in relation to a string of car thefts. Picture: NSW Police.

At 10am on Tuesday at the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre in Kempsey, the pair were charged in relation to car theft syndicate.

Cavaliere was charged with 38 offences including 20 steal motor vehicle-related charges, five counts of aggravated break and enter, and three police pursuits.

Dobson was charged with nine offences, including six steal motor vehicle related charges.

Both men were refused bail and had their cases mentioned in Kempsey Local Court on Wednesday.

NSW Police vision shows the moment a man is arrested in Annandale in relation to a string of car thefts. Picture: NSW Police.

Cavaliere is expected to appear in Kempsey Local Court on Thursday.

Police will allege the three men worked together to steal cars for the purpose of financial gain.

NSW Police has recovered nearly all the vehicles believed to be stolen.

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