Trio charged over bizarre million dollar slingshot case against Melbourne businesses

Two underage youths and a man allegedly slung marbles, causing a million dollars in damage, through dozens of Melbourne windows.

The trio were arrested on Wednesday. Picture: Thinkstock

Two teenagers and a man have been charged after they allegedly used marble slingshots to cause more than $1m in damages to dozens of Melbourne businesses.

Police allege the trio — who are facing more than 270 charges between them — hurled marbles at the windows of inner-city businesses across almost 90 incidents between September and December this year.

A 49-year-old man and two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Wednesday morning after police reportedly found four sling shots and six guns during a search of a Cheltenham home.

Investigators also allegedly discovered a small cannabis crop and four extendible batons, and suspended two firearms licences.

The string of charges facing the trio include 258 counts of criminal damage, three counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, three counts of cultivating cannabis, three counts of trafficking cannabis and six counts of possessing prohibited weapons.

The 15-year-old boy has also been charged with one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

A Victoria Police spokesman said businesses across dozens of suburbs, including Bentleigh, Collingwood, Cremorne, Docklands, Mentone, Richmond, South Yarra and St Kilda were damaged, with most of the alleged attacks taking place in October and November.

Police estimate the total damage bill will exceed $1 million, with one building’s windows alone costing $150,000 to repair.

The man was released on bail to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday, while the teenagers were bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

A 52-year-old woman was also arrested at the property and released with intent to summons in relation to the cannabis crop.

A police spokesman said all four were known to each other.