Login
iscover
A real estate agent in western Sydney has been granted bail, despite having allegedly taken part in a ransacking operation where four people were tied up and held hostage at gunpoint.
Real estate agent Yahya Al-Mahdawi, from Sapphire Estate Agents, has been charged with participating in a criminal group and handling stolen property, following a home invasion in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Authorities have alleged that Al-Mahdawi joined a group that forcibly entered a St. John’s Park residence on 26 September 2025, tied up its occupants, and ransacked the home.
Court documents alleged that Al-Mahdawi and his co-accused arrived at the property in two vehicles, including a reportedly stolen Toyota Hilux, before forcibly entering the home.
Upon forcing their way inside, the group purportedly faced two of the occupants, whom they tied up using zip ties and tape, before a third occupant, hearing rowdy noise, came to see what was happening.
The third occupant was then also detained, with police alleging that one of the intruders pointed a gun at the man’s head.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the court was told that the alleged attackers entered the fourth occupant’s bedroom, bound his hands with cable ties, sealed his mouth with duct tape, and assaulted him.
Additionally, the four men purportedly stole $20,000 cash and several expensive watches while ransacking the property.
As the group fled the house, one of the restrained men broke free and alerted emergency services.
Police alleged that the stolen Toyota Hilux, used by the group to arrive at the home, was found outside a Fairfield Heights address 12 hours later, with Al-Mahdawi observed entering the vehicle wearing a mask and gloves.
Prosecutors also claimed that CCTV from a nearby Bunnings captured him purchasing zip ties and duct tape with a co-accused the day before the alleged home invasion.
Al-Mahdawi was first arrested and charged with participating in a criminal group and handling stolen property, following reports that police saw him moving the getaway car hours after the alleged attack.
Subsequent investigations have led detectives to also charge him with involvement in the home invasion itself.
He remained behind bars for almost four months before the NSW Supreme Court granted him bail last month, despite prosecutors and police arguing his release would pose a risk to community safety.
Al-Mahdawi’s lawyers told the court that the 21-year-old had been his family’s provider, and Sapphire Estate Agents submitted a letter confirming his employment and describing him as committed, reliable, and professional during his time as a sales associate.
Al-Mahdawi reportedly said he did not intend to return to his real estate job.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
You are not authorised to post comments.
Comments will undergo moderation before they get published.