Co-defendant in Melbourne Gold Company robbery pleads guilty

Posted October 16, 2020 | By Arabella Roden • Former editor

The second of two men implicated in the $3.9 million robbery of a Collins Street gold dealer has pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and theft, six months after the crime took place.

Daniel Ede, 37, was an employee of Melbourne Gold Company and held at gunpoint by Karl Kachami, 48, during the robbery on 27 April, in which a large quantity of gold bullion, jewellery and cash was stolen from the premises.

"Up until his appearance at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 14 October, Ede had maintained his innocence. Following his guilty plea, other charges – including firearms offences and perjury – were struck out"

Police later alleged that Ede had planned the robbery with Kachami; CCTV footage revealed that the weapon was unloaded and Ede appeared to be guiding Kachami using his eyes and hand movements.

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Kachami was arrested within days and quickly led police to a rural property in Gippsland, where a portion of the stolen material was buried. Police alleged that Ede was seen in Gippsland in the days following the robbery.

Up until his appearance at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 14 October, Ede had maintained his innocence. Following his guilty plea, other charges – including firearms offences and perjury – were struck out, The Age reports.

Ede has been in custody since 12 May and a June bail application was denied on the basis that he could seek to recover more than $300,000 of the stolen material that remains missing.

Kachami was released on bail in June; both he and Ede are scheduled to appear before the County Court o 29 October.