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.
Operation 'Supanova', led by the Box Hill Divisional Response Unit, uncovered an alleged syndicate that targeted major supermarket retailers, stealing more than $10 million worth of items in the past five months.
Items stolen include baby formula, medicines, vitamins, skincare products, electric toothbrushes and toiletries.
Those arrested are predominantly Indian nationals on temporary, student, or bridging visas. They are alleged to be working in a coordinated network to supply stolen goods to 'receivers', who then on-sell the products to end users for profit.
Box Hill Divisional Response Unit detectives have been working closely with major retailers and the Australian Border Force who have been notified about alleged offenders in the country on temporary visas.
Main arrests include:
- On 2 July, 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 20 August.
- On 7 July, 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 18 August.
- On 17 July, 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 20 August.
- On 30 July, 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 4 September.
- On 30 July, 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 20 August.
- On 30 July, detectives arrested a 24-year-old man with no fixed address on a student visa. He is alleged to have stolen more than $111,000 of retail items. He was charged with 26 counts of theft and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 3 September.
- On 30 July, detectives arrested a 22-year-old man with no fixed address on a student visa. He is alleged to have stolen more than $136,000 of retail items. He was charged with 54 counts of theft and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 21 August.
- On 12 August, Greater Dandenong CIU, supported by Box Hill Divisional Response Unit detectives executed a warrant at an address in Springvale, where they arrested one of the alleged receivers. During the warrant, police recovered more than $25,000 worth of stolen goods. A 54-year-old Springvale woman was charged with 30 counts of handle stolen goods. She was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court on 4 December.
Investigations remain ongoing, with further arrests anticipated.
Retail theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in Victoria, with 41,270 offences recorded in the past year - a 38% increase state-wide. This operation forms part of Victoria Police's crackdown on organised groups of offenders working together to steal goods and on-sell them for profit.
Anyone with information about organised shop theft or the on-selling of stolen goods is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quote attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Rachele Ciavarella - Eastern Region Division 1 Investigation and Response Manager:
"This has been one of the most significant operations we've undertaken in recent times to target organised retail theft.
"We will allege this syndicate are not only stealing for themselves, but they are part of a coordinated criminal enterprise profiting from stolen goods.
"By working with major retailers, we've been able to identify alleged offenders quickly and build a strong intelligence picture, allowing us to target the right people at the right time.
"Our message is simple: if you target our retail sector, we will target you. We will continue to work with our partners to protect businesses and hold offenders to account."
