One charged as stolen ID cards, drugs and firearm seized in eastern suburbs police raid

Police on Thursday charged one man and seized dozens of allegedly stolen credit cards and identification cards, an allegedly stolen vehicle, drugs and a firearm during a police operation targeting vehicle crime in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The operation followed an investigation into a series of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles across the eastern suburbs in the Box Hill and Blackburn North areas, in which numerous credit cards and identification cards were stolen.

Detectives from Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at a short-term holiday rental property in Thames Street, Box Hill North on Thursday 3 March.

During the search, police seized numerous allegedly stolen items including more than 70 credit cards and identification cards; tools; collectable Pokemon cards; and mail.

They also seized approximately 20ml of 1.4-butanediol (GHB); a small quantity of methylamphetamine; and drug cutting agents.

Police located an allegedly stolen vehicle with fraudulent number plates at the property.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers seized further drug cutting agents.

A 26-year-old Edithvale man was arrested upon his return to the property.

Police then searched the vehicle he was driving and seized approximately 100ml of 1.4-butanediol; approximately 50g of methylamphetamine; a small quantity of cannabis; a home-modified handgun; and ammunition.

The man was later charged with numerous offences including: obtain property by deception; prohibited person possess firearm; possess 1,4-butanediol (GHB); possess methylamphetamine; possess cannabis; theft of motor vehicle; handle stolen goods; deal with proceeds of crime; and commit indictable offence whilst on bail.

Police will allege he used a fraudulent bank cheque to purchase a luxury vehicle for $28,000. They will also allege he used a stolen credit card to pay for a short-term holiday rental to the value of $2,878.

The man has been remanded to face Ringwood Magistrate’s Court on 29 April 2022.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested but released pending further enquiries.

Quotes attributed to Sergeant Gerald Muileman – Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit:

“A Pandora’s box of criminal offending was well and truly opened during the course of Thursday’s search warrant. This serves as a warning to all those would-be criminals out there that you cannot slip under our radar.

“Whether we’re investigating vehicle crime or petty theft, we make it our mission to never have tunnel vision. Last week’s arrest is testament that this modus operandi works when it comes to netting some of our more serious offenders.

“To all those who think they have the right to break into someone’s car and steal their personal belongings for your own personal use – it’s only a matter of time before police catch up with you. When we do, you can expect to face the full force of the law.”

/Public Release. View in full here.