A first defendant, 29-year-old Sher Hussain Mahasely, a Brisbane Uber driver and business owner, has had bail denied and faces up to 14 years in prison in connection with a suspected five-man crime syndicate.

Prosecutors say the thefts used a CAN bus tool to disable immobilisers, unlock doors, start engines, and disrupt Toyota’s tracking system, enabling vehicle thefts and parts resale overseas.

The case is scheduled to resume in January 2026, with Mahasely remaining in custody.

The accused allegedly established a car-parts business, Sherwood Car Parts P/L in Rocklea, Brisbane, with registrations dated August 27, 2025, though the business appears temporarily closed.

The defence argued Mahasely was not a flight risk due to police cooperation, lack of witness familiarity, and non-violent offenses, but the magistrate cited high organization, sophistication, and scale as reasons to deny bail.

Mahasely was arrested on December 9, 2025, and appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court; bail was refused after a roughly 30-minute proceeding.

Police allege the group stole more than 60 Toyota LandCruisers valued at over $8 million and targeted 74 vehicles overall (LandCruisers and RAV4s) during a three-week Brisbane theft spike.