Police from the Melbourne Bicycle Patrol have helped catch a man alleged to have stolen 88 slabs of alcohol in Melbourne in recent months.
In conjunction with officers from the Melbourne West Neighbourhood Policing Team, police apprehended the prolific slab stealer during an operation in Melbourne's CBD, whereby officers inside a neighbouring supermarket allegedly observed him select his usual slab of choice from the Spencer Street bottle shop and walk out, about 9.15am on Wednesday 16 July.
The man is alleged to have stolen roughly two slabs a day, worth approximately $160, from three bottle shops in Melbourne, Docklands and Fitzroy, for the past six months. The total value of the alcohol stolen is alleged to be approximately $14,000 worth.
The 33-year-old man of no fixed address was interviewed and subsequently charged with 130 counts of shop-steal.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 1 August.
