Vehicle Crime Squad detectives have charged two people and seized luxury vehicles and drugs this week as part of an ongoing investigation into a syndicate linked to the organised theft of luxury vehicles in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
On Wednesday, 21 July a 2019 Toyota Alphard Wagon valued at approximately $94,000 was recovered from a second-hand dealer in Port Melbourne after it was allegedly sold to the dealer by members of the crime syndicate.
On Thursday, 22 July detectives located a stolen 2014 Range Rover Evoque parked on Briggs Street, Mount Waverly.
Also parked nearby was a 2021 BMW X7, valued at around $150,000, displaying false plates.
While police were waiting in the street, a 36-year-old Carlton man left a nearby property and got into the Range Rover about 3.30pm.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle, however he failed to stop and a short pursuit was initiated.
The man was subsequently arrested with the assistance of local police and the Air Wing on Kingsway, Glen Waverley.
During a search of the man and the vehicle, a quantity of cash and drugs believed to be methylamphetamines and heroin were located.
Detectives subsequently executed a warrant of the Briggs Street house and located approximately 1kg of heroin, approximately 7.5kg cannabis, quantity of pills believed to be MDMA, cash and casino chips.
They also located a 2015 Mercedes E250 sedan valued at approximately $35,000.
A 53-year-old Mount Waverley man was also arrested at the address and subsequently interviewed by police.
The 36-year-old man has been charged with traffick heroin, possess heroin, traffick methylamphetamines, possess methylampetamines, handle stolen goods, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and drug driving.
He faced Ringwood Magistrates' Court earlier today and was remanded in custody to appear again on 12 August.
The 53-year-old man was charged with traffick large commercial quantity of heroin, possess heroin, traffick cannabis, possess cannabis, possess ecstasy and possess proceeds of crime.
He will face Melbourne Magistrates Court later today.
Last week, Vehicle Crime Squad detectives arrested two people in Box Hill and seized six luxury vehicles, cash and drugs as part of this investigation.
The vehicles, which were valued at a total of around $850,000, included a Hyundai Elantra, Audi A5, Audi Q7, Porsche Macan, BMWi8 and a Mercedes G63.
A 29-year-old Narre Warren man has been charged with five counts of handle stolen goods, obtain property by deception, commit indictable offence while on bail, and possess a traffickable quantity of drugs of dependence.
A 38-year-old Narre Warren woman was charged with handle stolen goods, possess a drug of dependence, commit indictable offence on bail.
Anyone with information regarding the organised theft of motor vehicles is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Superintendent Peter Brigham:
"Vehicle Crime Squad detectives have so far seized 10 vehicles with a combined value of over $1.1M, as well as significant quantities of cash and drugs.
"This is a great result for the community and highlights again the immense harm these criminal syndicates cause in our community.
"Not only are we able to eventually return these vehicles to the hard-working people who spent thousands of dollars buying them, we've also prevented their sale being used to fund even more harm.
"This investigation remains ongoing and I'd urge anyone in the community who has information about this syndicate to contact police and remind them that this can also be done anonymously."
