Detectives from the Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) have this week charged three men in relation to six residential burglaries across the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Police allege the three Irish nationals, who entered Australia in the last three months, have been involved in a series of burglaries where sophisticated measures were taken to unsuccessfully hide their tracks.
This has included splashing cleaning fluid on the floors and furniture at targeted properties.
One of the men arrested is a 29-year-old Blackburn man, who is wanted by police in the United Kingdom for his alleged involvement in a spate of burglaries across England. Victoria Police have referred this matter to UK police and relevant immigration authorities.
On Thursday 8 June, detectives from the Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) arrested three men at a car park in Box Hill.
A 29-year-old Blackburn man, a 25-year-old Mitcham man and a 26-year-old man with no fixed address were all charged with aggravated burglary, six counts of burglary, theft, handle stolen goods and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime. All three men were remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on 3 July after no applications were made for bail.
During the series of alleged burglaries, the men targeted properties in Blackburn South, Wheelers Hill, Templestowe, and Box Hill North while the occupants were away between Wednesday 7 June and Thursday 8 June.
Over $25,000 of property has been allegedly stolen during the residential burglaries, including large amounts of cash, jewellery, and designer handbags.
Investigators are continuing to probe whether the trio are linked to any other unsolved burglaries.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Brad March, Whitehorse CIU:
“Your home should be your sanctuary – Victoria Police simply will not stand for anyone who seeks to enter someone else’s home and takes what’s not theirs.
“We are consistently working closely with police jurisdictions around the globe, including in the UK, to share intelligence on those who try to fly under the radar and commit crimes both in Australia and overseas.”
