By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A NARRE Warren South man stands accused of being a conduit between juvenile car thieves in Melbourne’s south-east and an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Ahmed Farhad Lodin, 30, was refused bail on 7 December after a court heard he had assisted in the sale of high-end vehicles stolen by Apex and Young Crucified Warriors (YCW) street gangs this year.
Lodin had admitted to arranging the exchange of stolen vehicles for cash and methamphetamine, Dandenong Magistrates’ Court was told.
Detective Senior Constable Mick Harris of Casey CIU told the court it was believed the young offenders were introduced to buyers from the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
“We have concerns with these young offenders, some who have committed violent armed robberies, being out there high on meth.
“We have worked incredibly hard to get these youths in custody.
“It’s an ongoing investigation that we’re working very hard – for the sake of the community – to get on top of.”
The court was told that Lodin was arrested at his home on 11 November and taken to Dandenong Hospital due to wounds allegedly inflicted by Hells Angels OMCG members over a drug debt.
According to a police summary, Lodin was suffering stab and burn injuries to his legs and had a cut to the bridge of his nose.
He had also been badly beaten during a previous stint in prison, losing the sight in his left eye, the court was told.
Lodin also had close links to three “main targets” and “dangerous offenders” within the Apex and YCW gangs, the court was told.
The gangs’ alleged crimes included armed robberies, car jackings, driving stolen vehicles at high speed as well as a culpable driving charge levelled at a 15-year-old boy.
“These people he’s associating with pose extreme danger to himself and his family,” Sen Const Harris said.
“I can’t express how grave my concerns are.”
Lodin faced charges of theft of a boat, a Navarra ute and petrol from Seaford, aggravated burglary and car theft from a Langwarrin home on 21 July, and stealing a $40,000 Audi from a Malvern East home on 19 October.
The Langwarrin victim identified Lodin as one of three male burglars who she found in her garage.
The terrified victim ran from the intruders and later found that two motorbikes, power tools and motorbike equipment to the value of nearly $5000 had been taken.
Lodin was also seen travelling in the stolen Audi in November, the court was told.
The car was later allegedly found during a police search warrant at his home, along with an Audi car key, Audi documents, a Winchester Hornet .22 firearm with 18 rounds, an imitation handgun, shotgun shells, orange-tip ammunition and disassembled pen pistols in Glad bags.
Police also allegedly seized items and substances used to make drugs, more than a dozen number plates, $1950 cash, mobile phones, drivers licences under different names, six bags of “white crystal substance”, and a BMW tin and documents.
At the time, Lodin had admitted to being a frequent ice user, Sen Const Harris said.
Defence lawyer Chris Edwards said Lodin had been assessed as suitable for CREDIT bail and would be in danger from inmates if he remained in custody.
A $2000 surety was offered by one of Lodin’s relatives.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said Lodin failed to show cause for bail because he was an unacceptable risk of reoffending and endangering the public, despite his family’s support.
He noted Lodin was sitting on a 199-day suspended jail term and had “significant” prior convictions for dangerous driving, threats to kill, assault, affray, armed robbery and driving while suspended and disqualified.
In recent months, the applicant had failed to appear at court for ice trafficking, being a prohibited person possessing a firearm, assaulting a Sheriff’s officer, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and driving at dangerous speeds.
Mr Vandersteen said: “The risks you pose cannot be alleviated by any conditions of bail.”
