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A man accused of hijacking a taxi while intoxicated after a viral police appeal has been unmasked as a high-flying property executive and “family man” living in a multi-million dollar home in eastern Sydney.
Brett Henson, 42, is accused of threatening a 54-year-old taxi driver in the city’s CBD at around 9:00pm on Friday, November 4, before driving off with his car.
The taxi was allegedly dumped around 5km to the east in Woollahra, where it was later found with “significant damage”.
Henson was arrested and charged six days after CCTV footage of the alleged robbery was shared on police social media.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Henson is Senior Manager of Capital Transactions for property development giant Mirvac and owns a $3.3 million house in Bronte.
Brett Henson, 42, at Waverley Police Station in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Wednesday.
Henson, who allegedly hijacked a taxi while under the influence of alcohol, held up a piece of paper to hide his face as he left the police station.
Henson looked at her dog fondly when a pet care provider picked him up Wednesday morning.
Henson was seen this week walking to Waverley police station for his weekly report, a requirement of his bail conditions.
Henson, who was dressed casually in shorts, a Nike T-shirt and sneakers, appeared dejected and declined to answer questions about the alleged crimes.
He was accompanied by a man in a suit who was holding a briefcase who did not want to confirm whether or not he was the executive’s lawyer.
Speaking for Henson, the man in the suit said he would not comment on the charges.
Earlier that morning, Henson was seen chatting with a pet sitter outside her luxurious three-story home when she arrived to pick up her dog.
The animal welfare business charges $80 per day for dog sitting or up to $150 per session for other services.
CCTV footage of the taxi allegedly shows Henson escaping with the taxi.
Police shared CCTV footage of the alleged robbery on social media on the day of Henson’s arrest.
Henson refused to answer questions about the alleged theft of the taxi
After she left, Henson left the front door and headed for the police station, stopping occasionally to smoke cigarettes, sip take-out coffee, and take calls.
Under NSW law, drivers’ licenses are immediately suspended if caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was “shocked” to learn of the allegations leveled at the businessman.
“He’s a family man,” they said.
He has three young children and a beautiful wife. I can not believe it.
Property records reveal that Henson seized a 99-year-old single-story Bronte property for $2,425,000 in November 2019, before tearing it down to redevelop it.
Henson owns a multi-million dollar property in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. A 1920s building purchased by Henson in 2019 for $2.4 million has been torn down and replaced with the three-story white brick house shown above
A development permit was approved in August of the following year, with a construction value of $750,200 on 109 square meters.
Prior to Mirvac, Henson is understood to have already had real estate experience, having previously worked as an executive at Westfield and Scentre Group, as well as holding the title of regional property manager for Woolworths.
It is unclear if Henson is still employed at Mirvac after being charged with Taking and Driving a Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent, Reckless or Furious Driving, or Speeding and Dangerous Driving: First Offense and Driving Under the Influence of alcohol.
A Mirvac spokesman said: “We cannot comment on the details of this issue.”
Henson was granted bail shortly after his arrest on November 10. He is due to appear in Downing Center Local Court on Wednesday 7th December.
Henson stopped for coffee and a cigarette while walking to the police station on Wednesday.