Teenager arrested for allegedly carrying imitation firearm after alleged burglary

A young man has been arrested after police spotted a car in a shopping centre car park in the early hours of the morning.

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A young man has been arrested after he was busted allegedly carrying an imitation firearm at a shopping centre car park.

Police from Epping have arrested an 18-year-old and seized an alleged imitation firearm following a check of a vehicle in Bundoora on Monday morning.

Officers were on patrol, as part of Operation Trinity, when a cars brake lights caught their attention in an empty shopping centre carpark on Plenty Rd about 2.30am.

Police spoke with the male driver and passenger before inquiries revealed the passenger was allegedly wanted by police in relation to another matter.

A search of the 18-year-old uncovered an alleged imitation firearm which has been seized by police.

The Fitzroy North teen has been charged with possess imitation firearm, possess a schedule four poison and theft of motor vehicle and theft following an alleged aggravated burglary in Malvern East last week.

He has been bailed to appear before court later this year.

Operation Trinity is a dedicated citywide operation in place targeting aggravated burglaries and associated car thefts, which increased markedly post the pandemic.

This has been driven by predominantly youth offenders targeting unlocked homes, with the intention of stealing car keys.