Police bust CBD and train station pickpocketing ring
Seven foreign nationals have been arrested and charged with a string of offences after police brought down the crime ring in early-morning raids.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police have arrested and charged seven foreign nationals over a raft of organised pick-pocketing and theft offences on Melbourne’s public transport system and busy CBD shopping centres.
Men and women in their 20s and 30s from India and Sri Lanka were arrested after warrants were executed in Sunshine and Tarneit on Thursday morning.
Detective Sergeant Chris O’Brien told the Herald Sun the group allegedly conducted the “sneaky” and “slick” thefts in crowded places such as the Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central shopping centre and the Queen Victoria Market.
The sophisticated operation works in groups, with at least two huddling around the victim and pretending to bump into them, while another pickpockets their open handbag.
“Mostly they are crowding people using various methods of distraction, largely on the tram network,” Det Sgt O’Brien said.
“They targeted purses and wallets from women’s handbags in crowded places.
“A group of them will crowd and push up against someone from behind, it is very sneaky, very slick.”
He said an element of the offending which stood out in this investigation was that the target was predominantly cash, not credit cards or mobile phones.
In some cases, the victims were watched and followed as they withdrew cash from nearby ATMs.
“There is an indication victims have been followed, certainly there were victims that had recently withdrawn money from ATMS,” Det Sgt O’Brien said.
“We are warning people to be aware of their surroundings and to secure their belongings.”
The group were said to be “well dressed” and catered their appearance to “fit in” and not stand out.
“In most of the offences, nobody noticed who the offenders were, but they did notice they had been bumped into, on trams, tram stops, escalators and elevators,” Det Sgt O’Brien said.
Police recorded more than 100 thefts and said around $20,000 cash had been seized.
CCTV seized will assist in their prosecution.
Those charged yesterday were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April
14 include:
• A 25-year-old female from India
• A 26-year-old female from Sri Lanka
• A 29-year-old male from Sri Lanka
• A 32-year-old male from Sri Lanka
Another three people were also charged on January 8 after warrants were executed in Albion:
• A 38-year-old male from Sri Lanka
• A 32-year-old female from Sri Lanka
• A 35-year-old male from India
MORE NEWS:
SETKA FACING COURT ACTION AS UNION WAR HEATS UP
‘STUNNED’ MUM’S PLEAS TO HELP BABY AT POINT COOK HOTEL
MELBOURNE BIKIE RAIDS LINKED TO FINKS GANG, FIREARMS BAN
They have been charged with various theft offences and some with loitering with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
The arrests come as part of Operation Galeforce, a joint investigation between Victoria Police and Australian Border Force.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.