Police have arrested 26 people linked to youth gangs and organised crime including a man from Croydon North and woman from Healesville.
A series of warrants and Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) checks were conducted by Greater Dandenong police as part of Operation Alliance over the course of last week (2 – 5 October), with arrests made in connection to serious offences including burglaries, car thefts, robberies, affray, and firearm related offences.
Greater Dandenong Tasking and Coordination Inspector Andrew McKee said this was a smaller part of a larger investigation where 440 youth gang members have been arrested a combined 1,630 times throughout the last year.
“This comes as local police have recently observed links of young local offenders carrying out crimes, including robberies and car thefts, on behalf of organised crime groups,” he said.
“Local uniform police and detectives, supported by the VIPER Taskforce, Canine Unit, Airwing and Drone Unit, have been working collaboratively to put the clamps on those responsible for serious and violent offending.”
The most recent arrests included a 27-year-old Croydon North man and 21-year-old Healesville woman who were arrested in Berwick, following the use of ANPR technology which detected a blue Subaru bearing allegedly stolen number plates.
The pair allegedly fled from police on foot and were arrested in the yard of a property on Earlsfield Drive. They were allegedly found in possession of 1,4-Butanediol and MDMA, along with identification documents believed to be stolen goods.
It will be further alleged they were involved in a petrol drive off in Ringwood late last month.
The man was charged with 20 offences including theft of a motor vehicle, theft of petrol, possess 1,4-Butanediol, commit indicatable offence while on bail, drive while disqualified, and display incorrect plates. He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 16 October 2023.
The woman was charged and summonsed with nine offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and stating a false name. She will appear before court at a later date.
Other arrests included a Hampton Park man, 18, a known youth gang member, 19, and a known OMCG associate, 50.
“This work is having an impact – since Alliance was formed in September 2020, we have reduced the number of known youth gang members in Victoria from 747 to 598,” Inspector McKee said.
“However, a core group of recidivist offenders, including 84 gang members who police have arrested more than ten times over the past year, remain the ongoing challenge and focus for Operation Alliance.
“These young people have shown a continual disregard for the rest of the community, and we will continue to have no hesitation in holding them accountable.”
Anyone with information about illicit firearms or gang-related crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit at confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
