Victoria Police link youth ‘swarming’ gangs to organised crime

Teen gangs swarming electrical stores, terrorising shoppers and business owners, have been put on notice as police crack down on those responsible for the rampages.

Suspected organised crime links have emerged to youth gangs terrorising electrical store operators with “swarming” episodes.

Investigators looking into where swarming gangs were offloading phones have confirmed at least 30 of 170 phones seized in a major CBD raid this month were stolen.

It is suspected those phones were to be rebirthed and sold again, fuelling the demand for swarming rampages.

Experts are still working through the other devices after they were seized by detectives at a business in Melbourne Central and a residence.

A 39-year-old man Melbourne man has been arrested and charged with handling stolen goods, possessing the proceeds of crime and Second-hand Act breaches.

He will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in February.

A 21-year-old Traralgon man was charged with robbery and armed robbery offences and remanded in custody.

More arrests are expected.

Swarming is a theft method in which large numbers of youths descend on a store and snatch whatever they can before leaving.

They often use the intimidation of their numbers to walk out unchallenged.

The offence has risen in popularity in the past year to the point where police set up Operation Burns to tackle the most prolific offenders.

It charged 34 people aged 13 to 19 with 150 offences in a three-month period.

North west metro region acting Commander Therese Fitzgerald said the raids were a new phase in its efforts to thwart group thefts and robberies.

“We are running a number of investigations into where stolen goods are going, why they’re being stolen and any organised crime links,” acting Cdr Fitzgerald said.

“Anyone committing these robberies, handling stolen goods or commissioning offences be warned; police will find you, we will hold you to account and we will ensure you do not continue to inflict harm on the community.”

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Acting Cdr Fitzgerald said people buying second-hand electrical goods should make their purchase through a legitimate, authorised dealer and request proof of ownership.

The CBD operation was run by members of the Wayward and Echo taskforces.

Links have previously been exposed between youth gangs and organised crime.

Those have included connections with car theft and jewellery armed robberies.