Police arrested four teenagers while executing warrants in Wyndham on Friday, following a number of alleged thefts at electronic and telecommunication stores across Melbourne.
The four teenagers have been charged with more than 16 offences of theft, which allegedly occurred between June 21 and July 9.
The alleged thefts were conducted at a number of retail stores, including shops in Thomastown, Sunshine, Airport West, Prahran, Brunswick and Altona North.
A Victoria Police media release said the offences allegedly involved a number of offenders who would “swarm into a shop and grab property, usually mobile phones, and run from the store”.
On Friday, police executed search warrants at three addresses in Point Cook, Tarneit and Truganina, arresting four boys aged 16, 15 and two aged 14.
Investigators also recovered a range of electronic devices believed to have been stolen in the thefts.
The boys have been charged with theft and are expected to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
The Victoria Police statement said that a special task force, Taskforce Liega, is being established to have a state-wide focus on swarming offences.
Commander Tim Hansen has been appointed to lead the taskforce.
“We recognise that this type of offending creates fear in the community and risks the safety of the employees, “he said.
“Taskforce Liega will assist us in identifying offending patterns and deploying detectives earlier so as to ensure a quicker apprehension of the offenders.”
