Nine people have been arrested and almost $300,000 worth of stolen goods seized as police disrupt an alleged organised crime syndicate targeting the retail logistics chain.
North West Metro Regional Crime Squad detectives began investigating earlier this year after two men were allegedly caught stealing a B-Double truck trailer carrying more than $240,000 worth of premium wine from Truganina on 9 June.
Police discovered the pair allegedly moving the stolen goods onto another stolen tow truck in Sunshine the next day.
An investigation revealed a syndicate of thieves were allegedly breaking into the factories, distribution centres and truck trailers of major retail chains and stealing products to sell at a cheaper price.
Over several months detectives have charged seven people allegedly involved in further burglaries and thefts, including:
• A 36-year-old Hoppers Crossing man who was allegedly found to have almost $10,000 worth of allegedly stolen goods including homewares and electrical goods at his address. The man was charged with theft from motor vehicle, two counts of attempted burglary, three counts of deal with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, possess prohibited weapon and handle stolen goods. He was bailed to appear before Werribee Magistrates' Court on 29 January 2024.
• A 34-year-old man from Ringwood East who was allegedly found to have stolen clothes, bags and a laptop at his address. He was charged with four counts of theft shop steal, six counts of commit indictable offence on bail, two counts of theft from a motor vehicle and robbery. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 1 November.
• A 30-year-old man of no fixed address charged with four counts of theft stop steal, possess heroin and five counts of commit indictable offence on bail. His matter has been finalised at court.
• A 31-year-old man of no fixed address charged with two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, robbery, theft and four counts of shop steal. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 October.
• The men arrested over the theft of wine in June, aged 36 and 43, were charged with a number of offences including theft, theft of motor vehicle and handle stolen goods. The 36-year-old was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 7 December. The 43-year-old had his matter finalised at court.
While investigating the syndicate police also began looking into the receivers of the stolen goods and found a number of them were allegedly requesting specific items to sell onwards.
This led to multiple warrants being executed at properties in Melbourne's west including:
• A business in St Albans where police located more than $10,000 worth of stolen vitamins, baby formula, beauty products and imported cigarettes on 27 September. A 67-year-old female occupant was charged with handle stolen goods, three counts of deal with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, traffick heroin and traffick methylamphetamine. She was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 27 February 2024.
• A property in Sunshine North where police located more than $35,000 worth of stolen cosmetics, baby formula and medications on 25 August. A 34-year-old Sunshine man was charged with handle stolen goods, deal with property suspected being proceeds of crime, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited weapon. He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 12 February 2024.
Detectives are continuing to investigate with further arrests in sight.
Anyone with information about anyone dealing in stolen goods is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, Acting Superintendent Rhonda Brown:
"What started out as one seizure led to the disruption of an alleged organised crime syndicate making thousands off stolen goods.
"We suspect this business was lucrative and funding further criminal activities.
"But our detectives didn't just stop there - they continued investigating the receivers of these goods and have now returned a substantial amount of product back to the rightful businesses.
"We hope this serves as a reminder to small businesses who are tempted to buy cheaper products from unregistered providers. If the prices are oddly low - then it's probably too good to be true."
