Imagine walking into your local liquor store and finding the shelves completely bare. No wine, no beer, no spirits. It’s a nightmare scenario for any store owner.
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to several stores across Melbourne, with a group of six men allegedly stealing over $320,000 worth of alcohol.
The Syndicate: How the Thieves Operated
According to police, the six men were part of a well-organized syndicate that targeted liquor stores across the city. Here’s how they operated: some members would go into the stores and steal as much booze as they could, while others waited outside in a vehicle, ready to make a quick getaway.
The Stolen Liquor Was Sold for Profit
But what did they do with all that stolen liquor? Police allege that the syndicate sold the stolen goods for a hefty profit, lining their pockets with cash.
The Bust: How Police Caught the Thieves
On Wednesday, November 20, around 7 pm, police received a call from a liquor store in Thomastown, alerting them to a possible theft in progress. When they arrived, they arrested a 26-year-old man from Truganina and charged him with 68 offences, including the theft of $76,000 worth of alcohol.
A Vehicle of Interest Led to More Arrests
At the same time, police intercepted a vehicle of interest in Mulgrave, which led to more arrests. The 30-year-old driver, also from Truganina, allegedly tested positive for methylamphetamine and had 40 bottles of stolen liquor, as well as two shopping baskets from a liquor store, in his vehicle.
The Alleged Leaders of the Syndicate
Police alleges that the driver is one of the leaders of the syndicate, and he will be charged on summons with 23 offences, including the theft of more than $18,000 worth of alcohol. His passengers, including a 39-year-old man from Wollert, were also arrested and charged with multiple offences.
The Full List of Charges
Here’s a breakdown of the charges against each of the six men:
- A 26-year-old man from Truganina: 68 offences, including the theft of $76,000 worth of alcohol
- A 30-year-old man from Truganina (alleged leader): 23 offences, including the theft of more than $18,000 worth of alcohol
- A 39-year-old man from Wollert (alleged leader and recruiter): 22 offences, including the theft of more than $95,000 worth of alcohol
- A 30-year-old man from North Melbourne: 30 offences, including the theft of more than $42,000 worth of alcohol
- A 29-year-old man from Truganina: 17 offences, including the theft of almost $40,000 worth of alcohol
- A 23-year-old man from Craigieburn: 36 offences, including the theft of $57,000 worth of alcohol
The Consequences
All six men are set to appear in court in the coming months, with some facing multiple years behind bars if convicted. The owners of the targeted liquor stores are no doubt breathing a sigh of relief, but the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and working with authorities to prevent crime.