Police charged five people with more than 140 offences following a series of home invasions in Melbourne’s west last year.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives from Brimbank’s Crime Investigation Unit executed eight warrants in December and arrested eight young men.
Three men, aged 18, were each charged with around 30 offences each including multiple counts of aggravated home invasion, burglary, theft of motor car and intentionally causing injury.
Two teens, aged 16 and 17, were charged with more than 45 offences including aggravated home invasion and theft of motor car.
The arrests followed a dozen alleged home invasions this year including:
• An aggravated home invasion in Albanvale on 18 May.
• An aggravated home investigation and theft of car in Keilor Park on 24 May. The stolen vehicle was later located burnt out in Brookfield.
• An aggravated home invasion and theft of car in Altona Meadows on 16 August.
• An attempted aggravated home invasion in Sunshine on 23 August.
• A burglary and theft of car in Sunshine on 11 October.
• An aggravated home invasion in Braybrook on 11 October which left a male occupant with serious injuries to his hand.
• An aggravated home invasion and theft of car in Kings Park on 17 October.
• An aggravated home invasion and theft of two vehicles in St Albans on 20 October. One was returned to the owners the next day and the other was located burnt out Braybrook.
• An attempted home invasion in Sunshine West on 11 November.
• An aggravated home invasion in Deer Park on 16 November.
• An aggravated home invasion in Delahey on 16 November which left a male occupant with serious injuries to his face.
• An aggravated home invasion and theft of car in St Albans on 22 November.
During the warrants this month police also arrested a 28-year-old Kurunjang man and charged him with cultivating and possessing cannabis.
He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 22 April 2024.
Another 17-year-old boy was arrested and released pending summons.
Two of the 18-year-old men charged, from Footscray and Caroline Springs, were bailed by the courts and will re-appear before Melbourne Magistrate’ Court on 25 March 2024.
The third 18-year-old man, also from Caroline Springs, was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 25 March 2024.
The 16-year-old and 17-year-old boys charged were bailed to appear before a children’s court a later date.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
“Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their own home. We take these kinds of offences extremely seriously and will investigate thoroughly until we can hold people to account.”
