Detectives from the Vehicle Crime Squad have charged three men and seized 11 stolen Holdens following an investigation into the alleged theft, rebirthing and on selling of stolen vehicles.
Police have identified at least 30 Holdens - worth an estimated $2M - which have been stolen from suburbs in Melbourne's north, east and south since October last year.
Investigators have been told the vehicles are being stolen from vehicle dealerships, public carparks and outside residential addresses.
The vehicles targeted are late model Holden Special Vehicles (HSVs) ranging in value from $50,000 to $120,000 per vehicle.
With the assistance of Monash Crime Investigation Unit, a warrant was executed at a residential address in Clayton on Wednesday morning.
A 32-year-old Clayton man was charged with 20 offences, including theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods and offences against the Bail Act.
He was remanded to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates' Court on 28 March.
On Wednesday, 1 February with the assistance of Morwell Divisional Response Unit, police searched a residential address in Newborough.
They subsequently seized five stolen HSV Senator SS vehicles, two stolen HSV engines, almost $40,000 in cash and numerous stolen Victorian registration plates.
Police then attended a storage facility in Yarragon, locating and seizing an additional stolen HSV Holden sedan and assorted stolen vehicle accessories.
On Wednesday, 1 March, investigators returned to the same Newborough address, further seizing two stolen Holden vehicles, a stolen Nissan Navara ute, a small quantity of cash, a small quantity of what appears to be methylamphetamine, and a stolen HSV transmission.
A 28-year-old Newborough man was charged with 30 offences, including handle stolen goods, theft, traffick drug of dependence and deal property suspected proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on 2 June.
A 32-year-old Kangaroo Flat man was charged with handle stolen goods, theft and deal property suspected proceeds of crime.
He was bailed to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on 30 May.
Police have so far recovered 11 of the 30 stolen vehicles.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about vehicle rebirthing is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jarrod Turner, Vehicle Crime Squad:
"The wider ramifications of this kind of crime can ripple through to the entire community - from someone who can't get to work or get their kids to school because their car's been stolen, to insurance premiums being raised for everyone to cover the costs of vehicle theft.
"The Vehicle Crime Squad will continue to target those contributing to organised motor vehicle crime in Victoria and shut down any illegal activity of this nature.
"There are a number of businesses and operations currently on our radar, so if you are acting illegally or profiting from rebirthing vehicles, parts or scrap metal, you can expect a visit from us.
"We'd also invite anyone with information about this kind of illegal activity to please contact Crime Stoppers - it can be done anonymously, and we'll continue to act on these reports."
