A Sydney-based rapper, who is the subject of an international police manhunt in connection with the execution of a figure linked to the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang, has reportedly been spotted in Mexico.
The Brazen Service Station Ambush
New South Wales Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Harley Johan, known by his stage name 'YC Ewzy', in September 2025. This action came almost a year after the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Niddal Acherkouk at a BP service station on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills. The incident occurred on the evening of November 22, 2024.
Authorities state that Acherkouk, who had known links to the Comanchero gang but was not a formal member, had just dined at a nearby Turkish restaurant. At approximately 7:45 pm, as he attempted to flee, he was ambushed by two masked shooters in what police describe as a 'meticulously planned' execution. The attack sent terrified families and diners running for safety as gunshots echoed down the crowded street.
A Global Hunt and a Mexican Sighting
The extensive global search for Johan had yielded few public clues until a photo emerged online over the weekend. The undated image, published by The Daily Telegraph, is believed to show Johan in Cancun, Mexico, standing outside what is thought to be the Golden Parnassus Resort.
In the photograph, the individual faces away from the camera, wearing high-end designer clothing including a $1400 Chrome Hearts T-shirt and $3000 Hermes sneakers, while holidaymakers relax by a pool. NSW Police declined to comment on the specific image when approached by the Daily Mail, but confirmed the global manhunt remains active, with investigators believing Johan fled overseas after the attack.
Details of the Attack and Aftermath
CCTV footage of the killing, released by police last year, showed the alleged gunmen went to extreme lengths to conceal their identities. They wore large black ponchos, balaclavas, gloves, and long trousers, effectively hiding their faces, skin colour, and physiques.
The pair initially fired at Acherkouk's Porsche, which they had been waiting for at the service station. Acherkouk managed to scramble from the driver's seat to the passenger side and exit the vehicle before fleeing on foot. The gunmen pursued him, firing shots as pedestrians dived into nearby stores for cover. The Porsche was later found alight in Kensington, and police believe the assailants escaped in a stolen white Audi hatchback.
In a chilling revelation, police disclosed that Acherkouk had learned less than three weeks before his death that a contract had been issued for his assassination.
Following the incident, scrutiny has also fallen on Johan's music. His song 'Reckless', uploaded to YouTube in March 2025, depicts a violent scene of masked gunmen killing a driver in an underground car park. The video, which has garnered over 46,000 views, describes a world of violence, guns, and drugs. Police continue to appeal for public help to identify the second gunman involved in the Surry Hills attack.
