Robber who bashed and hog-tied a gun shop owner during an elaborate heist is jailed for seven years

Robber, 23, who bashed and hog-tied a gun shop owner, 81, during an elaborate heist where he stole 100 firearms is jailed for seven years

• Serdar Baycan admitted to raiding Barry & Sons Firearms in Beckenham, Perth 
• The 23-year-old kidnapped, bashed and hog-tied an 81-year-old gun shop owner 
• He has been sentenced to seven years behind bars, eligible for parole in five  

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:54 BST, 2 May 2020 | Updated: 11:54 BST, 2 May 2020

A robber who kidnapped, bashed and hog-tied an 81-year-old gun shop owner during an elaborate heist has been jailed for seven years.

Serdar Baycan admitted to raiding Barry & Sons Firearms in Beckenham, Perth, where he stole 100 firearms, worth $206,000, on September 4, 2019.  

The 23-year-old was arrested during a dramatic police raid almost a week later, where officers found the firearms in his Forrestdale storage unit.

During sentencing on Friday, the Perth District Court heard Baycan and his alleged co-offender Mustafa Altinok stalked gun shop owner Barry Lathwell in the days preceding their heist, WA Today reported.

The 23-year-old was arrested during a dramatic police raid almost a week later, where officers found the firearms 

Baycan, who hired a van and changed its number plates, staged a rear-ending of Mr Lathwell’s car as he left his gun shop at about 5.45pm.

Mr Lathwell was punched numerous times after the three men stopped in a laneway to exchange details over the car accident.

The 81-year-old’s hands and feet were bound with cable ties and his head was covered with a cloth that was duct-taped to his face.

Mr Lathwell, who was also hit on the head with an object, was told he would be killed if he did not open his weapon vault. 

The pair allegedly stole $6,000 worth of ammunition, 77 handguns and 23 long-arm firearms. 

Baycan claimed he agreed to the robbery to repay a $6,000 drug debt and was high on methamphetamine at the time. 

Baycan hired a van and changed its number plates during the elaborate heist

WA Police previously said the firearms were recovered before they could make their way to the black market.  

Following the police raid, Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch said: ‘The recovery of the stolen firearms has been a high priority for WA Police Force.’

‘It was only a matter of time before the firearms would have made it onto the black market and into the hands of people who could have caused great harm to the community.’ 

The police also praised Mr Lathwell for how he handled the situation. 

‘Lastly, it is important we don’t forget the victim in this matter – an 81-year-old man who was going about his own lawful business,’ Mr Blanch said at the time.

‘Barry had done everything he could to secure his store, and has assisted WA Police Force throughout this investigation.’ 

During sentencing on Friday, the Perth District Court heard Baycan and his alleged co-offender Mustafa Altinok stalked gun shop owner Barry Lathwell in the days preceding their heist

Judge Felicity Davis referred to CCTV footage which showed Baycan buying cable ties and duct tape at Bunnings the day of the attack while rejecting the 23-year-old’s attempts to minimise his part in the offending. 

She found Baycan was remorseful for his actions and acknowledged he agreed to assist police with investigations following his arrest.

His co-accused fled to Turkey following the crime and Baycan agreed to testify against him.

Baycan, who was born in Turkey but raised in Australia, began to use drugs at 15 and reports show he has a low level of intelligence. 

He was sentenced to seven years behind bars and will be eligible for parole in five years.  

Following the recovery of the firearms, Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch said: ‘The recovery of the stolen firearms has been a high priority for WA Police Force.’ Pictured: Detectives during a raid on Monday September 9, 2019

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