Ten people have been charged as police continue to investigate a syndicate of alleged motorbike thieves targeting Melbourne’s CBD.
The alleged series began in January and has seen at least 30 personal motorbikes and motor scooters – with a combined value of more than $150,000 – stolen from Melbourne CBD streets during the night.
Suburbs targeted include Southbank, North Melbourne, Carlton and Docklands.
Police will allege they travelled to these suburbs in groups on stolen motorbikes and often with pillion passengers on the back. They would then steal further bikes and ride them back to the northern suburbs.
During this time, police will allege they engaged in dangerous and high-risk riding including performing monos and riding on footpaths.
Following an investigation, detectives from Melbourne’s Divisional Response Unit on Friday executed 10 warrants across Melbourne’s north and seized three allegedly stolen motorbikes worth approximately $20,000.
During a search of a Dallas property, police also seized an allegedly stolen gold Holden, a sword, knuckledusters, a gel blaster, ammunition and cannabis.
Police also arrested seven men on Friday including:
• A 27-year-old Broadmeadows man who was charged with seven counts of theft of motor vehicle, five counts of conduct endangering serious injury, three counts of recruit a child to engage in criminal activity, failing to stop on police direction and five counts of unlicensed driving.
• An 18-year-old Meadow Heights man who was charged with eight counts of theft of motor vehicle, six counts of conduct endangering serious injury, five counts of unlicensed driving and possessing a prohibited weapon.
• A 20-year-old Dallas man who was charged with conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving, two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing an imitation firearm, possessing ammunition and possessing cannabis.
• A 19-year-old Gladstone Park man who was charged with conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving and possessing cannabis.
• Two 18-year-old Broadmeadows man who were charged with offences including conduct endangering serious injury.
• A 21-year-old Jacana man who was charged with conduct endangering serious injury and altering a registration plate.
All were bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 August.
Two boys – a 17-year-old from Dallas and a 15-year-old from Meadow Heights – were charged on summons during Friday’s warrants.
They will appear before a children’s court at a later date.
On Saturday, police arrested a 19-year-old Broadmeadows man and charged him with theft of motor vehicle, two counts of conduct endangering serious injury, unlicensed driving and possessing a prohibited weapon.
He was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 August.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the alleged syndicate and have today released CCTV vision of two males in the hope they can assist with their enquiries.
The first male – pictured in Carlton about 11.30pm on 30 January – is believed to be aged between 18 and 25, with a slim build, and was wearing black and white striped tracksuit pants, a black hooded jumper and black runners.
The second male – pictured in Southbank just before 3am on 30 March – is believed to be aged between 18 and 25, with a slim build, and was wearing all black clothing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to North West Metro Division 1 Investigation & Response Detective Acting Inspector Paul Topham:
“Not only does vehicle theft impact people’s sense of safety but it also takes away victims’ mode of transport which is incredibly frustrating.
“People should be able to park their vehicles at night and have them there when they return.
“The allegedly stolen motorbikes were also used to ride dangerously across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, putting other road users at risk on multiple occasions.
“We won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour and will continue to investigate until we can bring everyone involved before the courts.”
