Burglars on the run after litany of robberies at luxury retailers

Brazen thieves are targeting high-end stores in Melbourne and are making off with millions of dollars worth of designer bags, shoes and jewellery to re-sell illegally.

The Dior store in Collins Street was targeted by thieves. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Underground demand for luxury designer goods is fuelling a multimillion-dollar spate of boutique ram-raids across Melbourne.

Police believe brazen thieves have set their sights on high-end stores in and around Melbourne in a bid to make off with designer bags, shoes and jewellery to re-sell illegally.

Offenders have made off with at least $10m worth of luxury items in at least 20 hits at luxury retailers in recent years.

The CBD’s Collins St precinct has become a major hotspot among the thieves, with almost half of the $10m haul stolen from stores along the strip.

Thieves caught on CCTV stealing more than $550k worth of Hermes handbags. Picture: Victoria Police

The burglars involved in the litany of robberies have so far remained on the run.

Sergeant Ben Smith said police were concerned about the reckless nature of the robberies, with thieves ramming cars into shopfronts to gain entry in many cases.

“It’s not only the theft that is a concern but the brazenness behind the offending and the significant damage left behind by thieves,” he said.

It comes as offenders most recently rammed vehicles into shopfronts at Dior’s Collins St store in the CBD twice in March, and Crown’s Louis Vuitton store.

Police at the scene of a ram raid at Crown’s Louis Vuitton store. Picture: David Crosling

Other luxury labels targeted by thieves have included Hermes, Berluti, and Franck Muller.

The cheapest items sold by those brands range from about $500 for key rings and notebook covers, right up to bags worth $20,000 and watches worth more than $200,000.

Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said workers should not have to fear their stores being robbed or being hurt on the job.

“We were saddened to see the brazen ram raid that seriously damaged Dior in Melbourne recently, and were thankful no workers or customers were hurt,” she said.

There are fears for workers’ safety at boutique stores. Picture: Supplied

“No one should have to go to work afraid for their safety. Sadly, this is a reality for many in the sector.”

Ms Brown said it was believed a small cohort of organised retail thieves were responsible for more than 60 per cent of the damage to brands’ loss and damage.

She called for a clearer date for when the state government’s machete ban and enhanced police search powers would be implemented and additional support from federal authorities ahead of May’s election.

“The primary focus should be on targeting organised crime syndicates, which contribute to instances of retail crime most significantly,” Ms Brown said.

It’s believed a small group of thieves are causing the bulk of the damage. Picture: David Crosling

The raids at designer stores have mirrored the growing number of retail thefts across Victoria.

The most recent crime data, released earlier this month, showed recorded thefts from retail stores have steadily increased over the last five years, with 38,750 recorded thefts last year, up from 19,693 in 2020.

Thefts in and around the CBD rose from 1,765 in 2023 to 2,848 last year.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made over the incidents and investigations were ongoing.

Originally published as Burglars on the run after litany of robberies at luxury retailers