Detectives from Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit yesterday arrested three people following an intensive investigation into a series of aggravated burglaries across affluent eastern and south eastern Melbourne suburbs over the past 15 months.
Police allege an unknown man entered or attempted to enter more than a dozen homes in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Brighton between November 2020 and February 2022 while occupants were sleeping.
Security cameras installed at some of the homes allegedly captured the man wearing a balaclava and wielding a large kitchen knife, before he allegedly stole property including wallets, purses, jewellery, and electrical items.
Police executed a search warrant at an address in Bowral Court, Bundoora in the early hours of Tuesday 22 February, seizing several items including allegedly stolen property; two imitation firearms; a small quantity of methylamphetamine; and clothing.
A 52-year-old Bundoora man was arrested and later charged with numerous offences including 12 counts of aggravated burglary; four counts of attempted aggravated burglary; attempted burglary; two counts of prohibited person possess imitation firearm; handle stolen goods; and possess drug of dependence.
He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court at a later date.
Police executed a second search warrant at an address on Watt Street, Spotswood on Tuesday 22 February, seizing allegedly stolen property.
A 41-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman from Spotswood were arrested and are currently assisting police with their enquiries.
Quotes attributed to Detective Senior Constable Terry Harvey – Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit:
“Aggravated burglaries have no place in our community and police have zero tolerance for those who blatantly target certain community members.
“The community can rest assured that police will leave no stone unturned when it comes to hunting down those offenders who think they have a right to walk into someone else’s home and take what is not theirs.”
