North West Metro Regional Crime Squad has arrested another seven teenagers in relation to thefts from electronic and telecommunication stores across Melbourne.
Detectives executed warrants in the western suburbs on Tuesday and Wednesday (16 and 17 July) as part of Operation Burns.
The teenagers have been charged with more than 16 offences of theft occurring between 21 June and 9 July, 2019. Those charged are:
• A 15-year-old male from Truganina
• A 16-year-old male from Wyndham Vale
• A 14-year-old male from Truganina
• A 16-year-old male from Brookfield
• A 15-year-old male from Tarneit
• A 16-year-old male from Tarneit
• A 16-year-old male from Truganina
All seven boys have been charged with theft and are expected to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
This week’s arrests come after detectives arrested and charged four teenagers on Friday (12 July).
Police executed search warrants at three addresses in Point Cook, Tarneit and Truganina, arresting the four boys aged 16, 15 and two aged 14 years.
Investigators also recovered a range of electronic devices believed to have been stolen in the thefts.
The boys have also been charged with theft and are expected to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Operation Burns is a joint investigation by North West and Southern Metro Regional Crime Squads into a series of thefts at electronic and telecommunication stores throughout the metropolitan area, including Thomastown, Sunshine, Airport West, Prahran, Brunswick and Altona North.
North West Metro Region Commander Tim Hansen said the Regional Crime Squads had been working together to disrupt this type of crime and hold offenders to account.
“These thefts are occurring in busy shopping areas, with groups of offenders entering shops and grabbing property – usually mobile phones, tablets and laptops – and running from the store,” he said.
“We’re treating these crimes very seriously and the community can be assured police are actively identifying and locating offenders, making swift arrests and putting them before the courts.
“Our Regional Crime Squads are actively sharing information and intelligence in order to identify patterns in offending and quickly apprehend offenders who may be travelling across the city or into regional areas to commit these crimes.
“We are also working closely with retailers to address security issues and implement crime prevention measures, including through the National Retail Association’s Loss Prevention Committee.”
