Three men have been charged and a range of stolen property seized yesterday as part of a Vehicle Crime Squad investigation into a car rebirthing syndicate.
On Wednesday, police executed three warrants at residential properties in Caroline Springs, Meadow Heights and Narre Warren South, as well as two factories in Laverton North and Brooklyn.
Police seized a range of allegedly stolen items from across the five addresses, including two stolen cars; range of false, cloned, stolen and home made number plates; false VicRoads transfer papers and false identification documents; Log books from rebirthed vehicles, vehicle parts, a large quantity of cash, drugs and electronic equipment.
The vehicles will all be forensically assessed and police are hoping to return them to their rightful owners as soon as possible.
A 31-year-old Caroline Springs man, a 24-year-old Meadow Heights man and a 25-year-old Narre Warren South man were all arrested and interviewed by police.
The Caroline Springs man has been charged with 39 offences including handle stolen goods, deal property suspected of being proceeds of crime, obtain property by deception, theft of motor vehicle, theft, use false document and use identification information.
The Meadow Heights man has been charged with 15 offences including handle stolen goods, deal property suspected of being proceeds of crime, obtain property by deception, use false document and use identification information,
All three men have been bailed.
The arrests are part of a Vehicle Crime Squad investigation that commenced in May looking into rebirthed vehicles then being sold online via Facebook marketplace, primarily in Melbourne’s north and north-west suburbs.
Police will allege the syndicate was selling stolen vehicles with cloned identifiers taken from online advertisements for legitimate vehicles, as well as placing trackers in stolen vehicles and re-stealing them in order to fraudulently sell them again.
Detective Inspector Julie MacDonald said vehicle theft can have an enormous impact on people’s lives, not only the financial losses associated with having your car stolen but also losing the freedom of movement for things such as employment or family responsibilities.
“We know that with the cost of living that people are looking to get a great deal, but it’s important that deal doesn’t result in people losing their hard earned money,” she said.
“The Vehicle Crime Squad will continue to target those contributing to organised motor vehicle crime in Victoria and shut down any illegal activity of this nature.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
