High profile ‘Balenciaga Bikie’ Tarek Zahed arrested at Airbnb in Sydney’s northwest after weeks on the run
A high profile underworld figure – dubbed the “Balenciaga Bikie” – has been arrested after an extensive manhunt across two states.
High-profile former bikie kingpin Tarek Zahed has been arrested at a Sydney property after spending weeks on the run following the revocation of his parole.
Zahed, the former Comanchero national sergeant-at-arms, was arrested at an Airbnb at Dundas Valley in Sydney’s northwest on Friday evening.
Police in NSW and Victoria earlier this month began a manhunt for Zahed, 45, after the NSW State Parole Authority revoked his parole over an alleged assault in Victoria.
During the search, police allege they located $12,800 in cash.
Zahed, dubbed the “Balenciaga Bikie”, was transferred into the custody of Corrective Services NSW.
A 38-year-old man was also arrested at the address but was later released without charge.
Zahed was last year jailed for a maximum of three years and six months for his role in the botched attempted destruction of evidence in the gangland killing of Youssef Assoum.
He was released after serving a two-year and four-month non-parole period.
Zahed was initially charged with murder and kidnapping but on the eve of his trial, the murder charge was dropped after striking a plea deal.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of hindering the discovery of evidence relating to the cleaning and ordering the destruction of a Mr Assoum’s car.
