NewsBite

Melbourne gym owner charged over $1.1 million cash heist

A MELBOURNE gym owner and kickboxing trainer has been charged over a $1.1 million theft from a cash delivery van.

Paul Fyfield, kickboxing trainer
Paul Fyfield, kickboxing trainer

A MELBOURNE businessman has been charged over a $1.1 million theft from a cash delivery van.

Gym operator and kick-boxing identity Paul Fyfield, who once trained AFL tough-guy Barry Hall, was arrested yesterday at Highett by investigators from the armed crime taskforce.

Mr Fyfield, of Chadstone, was charged with the theft of $1.1 million at the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre in 2006 and possessing a false driving licence.

A search warrant was issued on a home in Burton St, Chadstone, where police allegedly seized illegal steroids, suspected drugs and cash.

Paul Fyfield the pallbearer on the left at William 'Willie' Thompson’s funeral in 2003
Paul Fyfield the pallbearer on the left at William 'Willie' Thompson’s funeral in 2003

Mr Fyfield is a director of the Fight Fit gym in South Melbourne, where he also trains.

Its website says he is one of Australia’s best kickboxing trainers and has mentored his fighters to win 8 world titles and 15 Australian titles.

He trained Hall, the former Sydney premiership player, when he made an ill-fated attempt at a career in boxing.

The heavily built Mr Fyfield, who was arrested without incident, will appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The Sunshine Plaza theft has been part of a wider probe by organised crime detectives from operation Tideland, which is also examining the notorious $4 million Richmond road gang robbery of 1994.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/melbourne-gym-owner-charged-over-11-million-cash-heist/news-story/154970b1743357c168d29b8fbe545d55