A major operation which saw police saturate the Brimbank and Melton areas has led to the arrest of over 50 alleged burglars, car thieves and dangerous drivers, as well as six stolen cars, weapons and a firearm recovered.
Operation Momentum ran for four nights in early October, leading to the arrest of 53 people and police seizing several edged weapons and a firearm.
Police were able to successfully retrieve six alleged stolen cars being driven in the area, including a Ford F250, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Kluger, Toyota Prado and two sedans. A suspected stolen motorcycle was also recovered.
A total of 115 charges were laid for burglary, car theft, dangerous driving, weapon and firearm offences. This includes nine people who were charged for theft of motor vehicle for their alleged involvement in the stolen vehicles recovered.
Several alleged dangerous drivers were caught after attempting to evade police or failing to stop, with police drawing links to further alleged serious offending.
The arrests include:
- Two men who were allegedly travelling in a stolen Ford F250 in Melton before 11pm on Thursday 2 October. The car was tracked by the Air Wing to an address in Melton South where the two occupants were arrested. It's alleged the car was stolen from a property in Hillside in late September. Both men, aged 57-years-old and 38-years-old, were charged with theft of motor vehicle and handle stolen goods.
- A 27-year-old Tarneit man who allegedly stole copper wiring from a construction site on Taylors Road before fleeing in a vehicle at about 4.20am on Thursday 2 October. The car was tracked by the Air Wing to Tarneit where one of the occupants was arrested. He was charged with theft, trespass, going equipped to steal and dangerous driving.
- A 39-year-old man who was allegedly driving a stolen Toyota Hilux on Coburns Road at about 9.50pm on Friday 3 October. After police deployed stop sticks and successfully deflated all four tyres, the car came to a stop and two occupants fled. Police caught up with them both after a short foot chase and they were placed under arrest. The man, who was the alleged driver, was charged with theft of motor vehicle, fail to stop for police, handle stolen goods, possess GHB, driving while disqualified, dangerous and careless driving.
While police were conducting the foot chase, they also observed two people allegedly attempting to steal copper from a nearby abandoned property. Both of these people, aged 34-years-old, were also arrested.
- Two men from Melton and Werribee were charged in relation to alleged burglary involving the theft of several firearms from a rural property in Melton earlier that morning. Units working Operation Momentum coordinated a response to arrest the two individuals in Melton at about 10.30pm on 3 October. After conducting a series of Firearm Prohibition Order searches, police allegedly located a two stolen cars, a stolen firearm, four samurai swords, knuckle dusters, ammunition and other items. The two men, a 39-year-old from Melton and a 37-year-old from Werribee were charged with a range of offences, including firearm theft, burglary, theft of motor vehicle, theft, possess firearm contrary to FPO, possess traffickable quantity of firearms and commit indictable offence while on bail. They were both remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
Operation Momentum ran for four nights from 1-4 October, and will continue to run regularly across Brimbank and Melton.
Anyone with information about crime in their area should report this to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Senior Sergeant, Rebecca Stokes:
"Aggravated burglaries and car thefts are a huge priority for local police, with offenders arrested weekly and stolen cars regularly being recovered.
"Operation Momentum continues to be a huge success for the local area, with over 50 people arrested and half a dozen stolen cars located during the recent blitz.
"We also regularly scan intelligence and deploy resources proactively to prevent offending in the first place.
"Operation Momentum will continue - this should send a firm warning to those thinking of committing crimes in our area that we can be out at anytime to catch up with you.
