What he had was information on a notorious armed robbery crew, known as the gym gang, and he was prepared to talk, if the deal was right.
He was The Driver, a trusted insider who turned informer on a gang that police still consider one of Melbourne's slickest.
His information would form the basis of a police operation, codenamed Tidelands, which became a cat-and-mouse game straight out of a spy novel.
Crime reporter John Silvester brings you the final instalment of a special two-part episode of Naked City.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Introducing: Trial by Water
73 seconds to a tragic death
The cyber cop chasing the crypto criminals
Belinda's partner was beyond help. Now, he helps her save strangers
Bread, water and the Liquorice Mile: Inside Pentridge Prison
Kaera was shot in cold blood on a city street, and we blamed her
Kid Currie: Life and death in the Special Operations Group
Blood on the steps of Flinders St: The brave men who chased a police killer
The double murder-suicide that rocked a small country town
A cultish nightmare: David’s 12 years in hell with The Family
The judge who committed three deadly sins
Coming soon: Naked City season 6
Trailer: The Confession
The twin bandits and the cop who brought them undone
The good people who stare down evil
The hunt for the police killers begins
Smoking guns: two police murdered, two suspects, one conviction.
'Meet me at the pub': The murder that stunned Melbourne.
Mr Clean: The story of an international money launderer
The secret life of a sheep breeder: The Wettenhall family murders
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