Ep 6. Stewart John Regan - The Magician

Stewart John Regan - The Magician is the sixth episode of the second season of Australian Crime Stories. It tells the story of Stewart John Regan, a former magician who turned his talents to crime.

Regan was born in New Zealand in 1947 and moved to Australia with his family as a child. He became interested in magic at a young age and started performing shows at the age of 14. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative magician, known for his use of pyrotechnics and complex illusions.

However, Regan's success as a magician was not enough to satisfy his ambition. He started dabbling in petty crime, such as stealing from shops and breaking into cars. This soon led to more serious offences, such as burglary and armed robbery.

Regan's criminal career hit its peak in the early 1980s. He and his gang executed a daring heist on the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne, stealing over $4 million in cash and gold bullion. The robbery made headlines across the country and Regan became known as 'The Magician' for his ability to evade capture.

Despite the success of the airport heist, Regan's criminal empire began to crumble. He was arrested and charged for a series of robberies and assaults, and was sentenced to 25 years in jail. While in prison, Regan continued to perform magic, even teaching inmates how to escape from handcuffs and straitjackets.

Regan was released from prison in 2004, after serving 20 years of his sentence. He returned to New Zealand, where he married his long-time girlfriend and settled into a quiet life. However, his past caught up with him in 2012, when he was arrested and extradited to Australia to face charges for the Tullamarine Airport robbery.

The episode features interviews with Regan's former associates, police detectives and journalists who covered his story. They provide insight into Regan's personality, his criminal exploits and his life as a magician. The episode also includes dramatic reconstructions of the airport robbery and Regan's subsequent arrest.

Overall, Stewart John Regan - The Magician is a fascinating look at the life of a complex and intriguing criminal. It explores the fine line between magic and crime and asks the question of whether Regan's talents as a magician helped him in his life of crime.