BRIMBANK: St Albans crime syndicate dismantled
Seven people have been arrested and more than $125,000 worth of stolen goods seized as police have disrupted an alleged retail theft syndicate in St Albans.
The arrests come as retail thefts across the state hit record highs, with the crime rising by almost 40 per cent in the last year alone.
The most common item stolen from retail stores is alcohol, with organised groups of shop stealers working together to steal goods and on-sell them for a profit.
It will be alleged this syndicate stole more than $320,000 worth of alcohol, beauty and health products from major retailers across this year.
The thieves then allegedly on-sold the stolen goods to both business and individual receivers in the St Albans area.
One alleged receiver – a bottle shop owner – was arrested during a search warrant on Main Rd on Wednesday (June 25).
Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad located more than $100,000 worth of allegedly stolen alcohol including whiskey and spirits, illegally imported tobacco, cigarettes and vapes, as well as a baton.
The seizure was so large police had to hire a van to transport the allegedly stolen goods.
The 32-year-old owner, from St Albans, was charged with handling stolen goods, negligently dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on September 12.
The warrant follows the arrest of five alleged thieves and the seizure of $25,000 worth of allegedly stolen beauty products this month.
Those arrested include:
n A 45-year-old man, of no fixed address, who allegedly stole more than $112,000 worth of goods. He was charged with 32 offences including 18 counts of shop theft, six counts of handling stolen goods, three counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime and theft of motor vehicle. He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
n A 24-year-old St Albans man who allegedly stole more than $66,000 worth of goods. He was charged with 20 offences including 14 counts of shop thefts, five counts of handling stolen goods and theft of a motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 10.
n A 39-year-old St Albans man who allegedly stole more than $80,000 worth of goods. He was charged with 27 offences including 15 counts of shop theft, nine counts of attempted shop theft, possessing heroin and dealing with the proceeds of crime. He was remanded to appear before Mel-bourne Magistrates’ Court on July 3.
n A 29-year-old St Albans man who allegedly stole more than $61,000 worth of goods was charged with 12 offences including nine counts of shop theft, handling stolen goods and committing an indictable offence while on bail.