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Men charged with carrying out $1.2m luxury store ram raids in Melbourne

Four men have been charged with ram raiding luxury designer stores in Melbourne and making off with $1.2m worth of items.

Wild ram raid caught on CCTV

Four men have been charged with carrying out a string of ram raids at designer stores in Melbourne, in which more than $1m of worth of luxury items were stolen.

The alleged smash and grabs happened in the CBD across March and April, with police alleging designer gear - including handbags and jewellery - worth about $1.2m was stolen.

High-end fashion brands including Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Burberry, and Dior were among the alleged targets, along with major retailer David Jones.

It is alleged an Essendon store was also hit.

Detectives raided six properties and storage units in Cranbourne, Dandenong, and Springvale on Tuesday.

They allegedly found and seized luxury handbags, stolen vehicles, drugs, and assorted jewellery.

The Burberry shop in Collins Street was targeted on April 16. Picture: 7NEWS
The Burberry shop in Collins Street was targeted on April 16. Picture: 7NEWS
A series of luxury designed stores were targeted.
A series of luxury designed stores were targeted.

Four men have now been charged in connection with the alleged ram raids.

A 21-year-old man from Springvale is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, attempted burglary, theft, handling stolen goods, theft from a motor car, criminal damage, and commit indictable offence while on bail.

Two Cranbourne men, both aged 31, also face a string of charges including burglary, theft from a motor vehicle, and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

One of the Cranbourne men is also charged with possessing trafficable quantity of a drug and dealing with proceeds of crime.

All three men are expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Various designed items were stolen. Picture: 7NEWS
Various designed items were stolen. Picture: 7NEWS

Another Springvale man, aged 30, has been charged with stealing a vehicle, drug possession and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was bailed and is due to appear in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

A fifth man, aged 30 and from Dandenong, was released pending summons.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Originally published as Men charged with carrying out $1.2m luxury store ram raids in Melbourne

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/breaking-news/men-charged-with-carrying-out-12m-luxury-store-ram-raids-in-melbourne/news-story/f5efcccad6c231c7372ede496e9e3138