Inner east crime: Man arrested after alleged aggravated burglaries in posh suburbs

Police have made three arrests following a string of alleged late-night house break-ins and burglaries in some of Melbourne’s poshest suburbs.

Three people have been arrested following police raids in Bundoora and Spotswood.

A man accused of a string of aggravated burglaries in affluent Melbourne suburbs has been arrested after being on the run for 15 months.

Boroondara detectives arrested a 52-year-old Bundoora man on Tuesday morning after he allegedly entered, or attempted to enter, homes in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Brighton while residents were sleeping.

The incidents had been taking place since November 2020, and security camera footage from some of the incidents showed the man allegedly wearing a balaclava and wielding a large kitchen knife.

The man was then captured allegedly stealing various items including wallets, purses, jewellery, and electrical items.

Officers raided a home in Bowral Ct, Bundoora and allegedly found stolen items and clothing, two imitation firearms and a small quantity of ice.

The 52-year-old man was later charged with 12 counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of attempted aggravated burglary, one count of attempted burglary, two counts of possessing imitation firearms, and handling of stolen goods and drugs charges.

He was remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Police also raided a home in Watt St, Spotswood later that day in connection to the incidents and seized allegedly stolen property.

A 41-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman from the suburb were arrested and are assisting police with their inquiries.

Boroondara detective Senior Constable Terry Harvey said police had “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.”