THREE people have been arrested and eight cars have been seized after search warrants were executed in Bangholme and Dandenong.
Vehicle Crime Squad detectives executed warrants on Bangholme Road and Paul Court on 21 April. They seized eight allegedly stolen cars: three VW Tiguans, two Ford Rangers, two BMWs, and a Mitsubishi ASX. An allegedly stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle was also seized, alongside vehicle logbooks, number plates, and drugs.
A 41-year-old Dandenong man was arrested and charged with committing indictable offences on bail, drug, theft, and fraud offences relating to 11 motor vehicles valued at approximately $600,000. He has been further remanded until 14 July.
A 30-year-old Dandenong woman was charged with drug, theft, and fraud offences relating to nine motor vehicles. She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 April.
A 65-year-old Bangholme man was arrested and subsequently released.
The warrants were executed as part of a joint operation with the Queensland Major Organised Crime Squad. A police statement read that “a total of 31 stolen or rebirthed vehicles have been recovered and seized as a part of the Victorian and Queensland joint investigation with an approximate total value of 1.25 million dollars.”
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 28 April 2021