Police have arrested five males as part of an ongoing investigation into a tobacco burglary in Clayton South and an aggravated home invasion in Box Hill earlier this year.
It is understood the aggravated home invasion occurred on Station Street on 31 July, while the burglary occurred at a storage facility on Centre Road on 8 August.
Today, detectives from the Eastern Region Crime Squad, with the assistance of the North West Metro Region Crime Squad, Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit and VIPER Taskforce executed search warrants in Tarneit, Altona North, Port Melbourne and Dandenong South.
During these warrants, detectives seized over 100,000 illicit cigarettes and vapes, as well as weapons and a large quantity of cash.
Two men from Tarneit and one man from Officer were arrested about 6am on Burke Road in Hawthorn East.
The trio, aged 19, 20 and 42, were in possession of a machete, a hatchet and a knife at the time of their arrests.
Investigators also arrested a 30-year-old Bundoora man in Bundoora, and a 41-year-old Altona North man in Altona North.
The quintet will now be interviewed in relation to the incidents.
A 41-year-old Officer man has been charged with aggravated home invasion, burglary, possess controlled weapon and drive whilst disqualified.
He was remanded to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au
