Two men have been arrested and almost $1M worth of stolen assets have been recovered as part of a Vehicle Crime Squad investigation into a car rebirthing syndicate with international links.
On Wednesday, 11 December detectives from the Vehicle Crime Squad, Illicit Firearms Squad, VIPER Taskforce, Vehicle Examination Unit and Dog Squad executed two warrants at a commercial property in Springvale and a semi-rural property in Bangholme.
Police seized a range of allegedly stolen items, cash and drugs from the Springvale property, including:
• A 2023 Nissan Navara;
• A 2023 Hino tow truck;
• A 2014 VFSS Senator;
• A 2018 Toyota Hilux;
• A 2016 VW Golf GTI;
• A 2016 Audi RS3;
• A de-identified 2016 Subaru WRX;
• A forklift;
• A Yamaha R1 motorcycle;
• An electric scooter;
• A range of stolen and cloned number plates;
• A VIN compliance plate OV laser machine (makes metal VIN compliance plates);
• A quantity of methylamphetamine; and
• Approximately $10,000 cash.
At the Bangholme address, police seized three long arm firearms and an allegedly stolen VW Golf engine.
The vehicles will all be forensically assessed and police are hoping to return them to their rightful owners as soon as possible.
A 34-year-old Springvale man and an 83-year-old Bangholme man were both arrested and subsequently interviewed by police.
The Springvale man charged with 17 offences of handle stolen goods and deception and bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 21 March.
The Bangholme man will be charged on summons with firearms offences.
The investigation commenced 12 months ago with the assistance of Australian Border Force after a container bound for the UAE was found to hold four stolen vehicles.
A month later, three stolen vehicles were located at the business responsible for shipping the container.
Those seven vehicles were all seized by police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about vehicle rebirthing or theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Jarrod Turner, Vehicle Crime Squad:
"This result is extremely satisfying and testament to the tenacity of the Vehicle Crime Squad, with investigators working extremely hard over the past 12 months to not only recover these vehicles but put an end to any further thefts.
"Having your vehicle stolen can have an enormous impact on people's lives - as well as having a significant financial impact, it also limits people's freedom of movement and having a car might be crucial when it comes to their employment or family responsibilities.
"Stolen and rebirthed vehicles are also often used in the commission of other serious offences as there can be a misconception that offenders are able to move around more easily and without detection. This is not true.
"The Vehicle Crime Squad will continue to target those contributing to organised motor vehicle crime in Victoria and shut down any illegal activity of this nature.
"We'd also invite anyone with information about this kind of illegal activity to please contact Crime Stoppers - it can be done anonymously, and we'll continue to act on these reports."
