Five people have been arrested after stolen electric hire scooters were found across the metropolitan area.
Police will allege that on Wednesday 21 October, a house at Para Hills West was searched after reports that electric hire scooters were being advertised for sale on a buy/sell/swap website.
Some of the scooters had been spray-painted black to disguise them.
One scooter was found at the property, and further enquiries led police to search a Ferryden Park property on Thursday 22 October. The house was searched and another stolen scooter was found, along with methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a replica handgun.
Police also located an electric charger which was capable of being used to recharge the stolen scooters.
Investigations then led police to houses in Salisbury East and Elizabeth Downs where a stolen scooter was located at each property.
Another search was conducted at Prospect where four scooters and spare parts were found, along with a replica handgun.
All of the eight stolen scooters had their GPS tracking units removed.
A 42-year-old Elizabeth Downs man, a 37-year-old Prospect man, a 35-year-old Ferryden Park man, a 35-year-old Beverley man and a 25-year-old Salisbury East woman were charged with numerous offences including theft, trafficking a controlled drug and firearms offences. They were bailed to appear in court at a later date.
The electric scooters are being returned to the company for repair.
Police would like to warn the public to be careful when shopping online, and to report any suspicious items or behaviour via the Police Assistance Line on 131444.
