By Tate Papworth
Police have swooped on properties in Sunshine and Albion and charged seven people over a host of organised pick-pocketing and theft offences.
Sergeant Chris O’Brien said the offending had been carried out on train and tram networks and at popular shopping precincts across Melbourne’s CBD for months.
“Operation Galeforce was an investigation led by the MTU along with our counterparts in Transit Safety Division,” Sgt O’Brien said.
“We investigated a series of organised and often opportunistic pick pocketing and thefts which were occurring for approximately two months across the city, in shopping precincts and on trams and trains.
“Rest assured Victoria Police takes this type of offending seriously, and our message to anyone out there looking to prey on those going about their everyday business is that you will be arrested and held to account.”
Police arrested a 25-year old woman from India, a 26-year-old female from Sri Lanka, a 29-year-old male from Sri Lanka and a 32-year-old male from Sri Lanka after executing warrants in Sunshine and Tarneit this morning.
They were charged and bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 14.
It follows early raids in Albion on January 7 in which a 38-year-old male from Sri Lanka, a 32-year-old female from Sri Lanka and a 35-year-old male from India were charged.
They were also bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 14.
