MELBOURNE: $10m theft syndicate busted


Victoria Police has dismantled one of the largest organised retail theft syndicates seen in recent years, arresting 19 people allegedly responsible for amassing millions of dollars in stolen goods across metropolitan Melbourne.
Main arrests include:
• On July 2, detectives arrested a 43-year-old man with no fixed address. He is alleged to have stolen more than $88,000 of retail items. He was remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on August 20.
• On July 7, detectives arrested a 35-year-old man with no fixed address. He is alleged to have stolen more than $90,000 of retail items. He was remanded to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
• On July 17, detectives arrested a 24-year-old man with no fixed address on a bridging visa. He is alleged to have stolen more than $37,000 worth of retail items. He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court on August 20.
• On July 30, detectives arrested a 26-year-old man with no fixed address, who is alleged to have stolen more than $95,000 of retail items. He was charged with 37 counts of theft and remanded to appear in Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on September 4.
• On July 30, detectives arrested a 21-year-old man with no fixed address on a student visa. He is alleged to have stolen more than $109,000 of retail items. He was charged with 45 counts of theft and remanded to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on August 20.
Victoria Police