Victoria Police make nine arrests over ‘organised’ Melbourne train graffiti attacks
POLICE say they have smashed an “organised criminal network” responsible for dozens of incidents on Melbourne’s train system, including loading concrete blocks on to tracks to ambush busy passenger trains.
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CONCRETE blocks were loaded on to railway tracks before masked vandals ambushed busy passenger trains, in a new wave of sophisticated and planned graffiti attacks on Melbourne’s public transport lines.
Alleged graffiti vandals are facing serious charges of endangering life as intelligence suggests an “organised criminal network” was messing with Metro signals and obstructing trains.
METRO MUST CLEAN GRAFFITI-RIDDLED RAIL CORRIDOR EVERY MONTH
GRAFFITIED GATEWAY TO MELBOURNE’S SPORTING PRECINCT AN EYESORE
A 22-year-old Truganina man was today charged with 295 counts of graffiti-related offences including conduct endangering life.
A 21-year-old Yarraville man was charged with 121 counts.
The Herald Sun can reveal police will allege the men were responsible for disabling trains by loading heavy blocks on to railway lines.
Passengers have been left frightened and stranded inside trains forced to a halt, watching on helplessly as masked figures surround them and cover carriages in paint.
Some vandals have snuck around the public transport network by wearing Metro and VLine uniforms.
One gang, who call themselves Stopping All Stations, has been bragging on social media about their exploits, posting photos of themselves train surfing on city lines.
But police are now confident they have stopped the daredevils in their tracks.
In total, detectives arrested 10 people as the net closed on the gang suspected of being behind more than 145 acts of vandalism totally more than $100,000 in damage in the past year.
Officers found railway detonators, cannabis and a haul of stolen clothes, cars and electronics as they stormed homes across Melbourne’s north and northwest.
It’s understood police have a cache of evidence to support their investigation, with the alleged gang members prolific users of social media and encrypted messaging services to show off their activities.
Those charged over the offences also include a 23-year-old Truganina man, a 20-year-old Altona man, a 20-year-old South Kingsville man, a 30-year-old Seaford man and 31-year-old man from West Footscray.
Two men, from Tarneit and Altona Meadows, and a South Kingsville woman, will be charged on summons.
Transit Safety Division Acting Superintendent Andrew Gustke said the graffiti attacks were more than just vandalism — they risked lives.
“Some of these incidents have been highly dangerous,” Supt Gustke said.
“It’s not artwork — they spray paint and damage these trains while commuters are actually on the trains.”
Two recent incidents include the halting of an inner-city train on White Night.
On Boxing Day last year, a Pakenham train was disabled at General Motors Railway Station before masked men ambushed carriages and covered windows and walls in paint.
“I would liken it to organised crime,” Supt Gustke said.
He said offenders should be warned they were being tracked.
“We are watching you ... will be seen and you will be caught,” Supt Gustke said.