Three Irishmen charged over string of Melbourne burglaries

An Irishman wanted over a spate of burglaries in the UK has been charged, along with two others, over a series of robberies in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

A man wanted in the United Kingdom over a spate of burglaries across England is one of three Irishmen charged over a string of burglaries in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Michael McInerney, 29, Bernard Connors, 26, and Edward McDonagh, 25, all fronted Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday after Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit detectives charged the trio over six burglaries in Blackburn South, Wheelers Hill, Templestowe and Box Hill North between June 7 and 8 June 8.

Mr McInerney, from Blackburn, is being hunted by UK police over his alleged involvement in several robberies, with Victoria Police referring the matter to UK police and immigration authorities.

It is unclear how Mr McInerney was able to evade UK authorities and arrive in Australia.

It is understood the group arrived in Melbourne within the past three months before allegedly targeting several homes where they attempted to cover their tracks using cleaning fluid on floors and furniture.

Police arrest a man in connection with a string of alleged burglaries in Melbourne. Picture: Victoria Police

Police allege they made off with about $25,000 in large amounts of cash, jewellery and designer handbags.

But the luck of the Irish ran out for them on Thursday when police arrested them at a Box Hill car park.

All three men were charged with aggravated burglary, six counts of burglary, theft, handling stolen goods and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Whitehorse CIU’s Sgt Brad March said police were working with jurisdictions overseas to locate criminals in Australia and internationally.

“Your home should be your sanctuary. Victoria Police simply will not stand for anyone who seeks to enter someone else’s home and takes what’s not theirs,” he said.

“We are consistently working closely with police jurisdictions around the globe, including in the UK, to share intelligence on those who try to fly under the radar and commit crimes both in Australia and overseas.”

Investigators will probe whether the men are linked to other unsolved burglaries.

None of the men applied for bail and were remanded in custody to reappear in court on July 3.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.