Reality TV writer accused of dressing up as ‘Bad Santa’ and stealing a $150,000 Mercedes

Pictured: Reality TV writer accused of dressing up as ‘Bad Santa’ and stealing a $150,000 Mercedes as part of a ‘botched insurance scam’

  • Three people charged over allegedly attempting to defraud insurance company  
  • Bad Santa took $150,000 Mercedes from carpark at Zetland apartment complex 
  • Cameras allegedly caught the man dressed as Santa drive away in the green car
  • The three are suspected of planning to ‘steal’ the car to claim insurance money 
  • Luca de Montis, 54, appeared via video link in court facing charges on Tuesday 

A reality TV writer accused of dressing in a Santa costume and stealing a $150,000 Mercedes planned to take a share in a dodgy insurance claim, a court has heard.

Luca de Montis, 54, appeared via video link in Sydney’s Central Local Court on Wednesday facing charges over the alleged failed plot that played out on December 8 last year.

Police allege the writer, dubbed ‘Bad Santa’, was caught on camera walking into the carpark of a Sydney apartment complex dressed in the festive get-up.

Luca de Montis (pictured), 54, appeared via video link in Sydney’s Central Local Court on Wednesday facing charges over the alleged failed plot that played out on December 8 last year

Freckleton, 35, and Rees, 32, allegedly arranged for de Montis to dress as Santa and steal the car as part of elaborate plot to claim insurance on the luxury vehicle 

Freckleton, 35, and Rees, 32, allegedly arranged for de Montis to dress as Santa and steal the car as part of elaborate plot to claim insurance on the luxury vehicle 

He allegedly left the Zetland building – where co-accused Adam Freckleton and Angharad Rees live – in a lime green 2009 Mercedes C63 sedan.

Freckleton, 35, and Rees, 32, allegedly arranged for de Montis to dress as Santa and steal the car as part of elaborate plot to claim insurance on the vehicle, The Daily Telegraph reported.

The pair allegedly reported the car ‘missing’ the day after it was taken. 

Freckleton and his wife Rees were arrested on Thursday.

They have both been charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Luca de Montis allegedly drove the lime green 2009 Mercedes C63 sedan (pictured) out of a Sydney car park

Luca de Montis allegedly drove the lime green 2009 Mercedes C63 sedan (pictured) out of a Sydney car park

The pair were granted bail and will appear in court on February 8.

Police allege de Montis, who is the founder of DEMLU – a reality TV concept creation company, was set to make $63,440 from the failed plot.

He has been charged with face disguise with intent to commit fraud, enter building with intent to commit fraud and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

He represented himself during his latest court appearance where he indicated he intends to apply for bail this week.      

The man was dressed in a hat, red jacket and white pants (pictured) as he strolled into a carpark at an apartment complex on Defries Avenue in Zetland, a suburb in inner-east Sydney

The man was dressed in a hat, red jacket and white pants (pictured) as he strolled into a carpark at an apartment complex on Defries Avenue in Zetland, a suburb in inner-east Sydney

Police allege the writer, dubbed 'Bad Santa', was caught on camera walking into the carpark of an apartment complex in Sydney's inner-east dressed in the festive get-up

Police allege the writer, dubbed 'Bad Santa', was caught on camera walking into the carpark of an apartment complex in Sydney's inner-east dressed in the festive get-up

Police allege the writer, dubbed ‘Bad Santa’, was caught on camera walking into the carpark of an apartment complex in Sydney’s inner-east dressed in the festive get-up 

Police allege de Montis, who is the founder of DEMLU ¿ a reality TV concept creation company, was set to make $63,440 from the failed plot 

Police allege de Montis, who is the founder of DEMLU – a reality TV concept creation company, was set to make $63,440 from the failed plot 

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