Seven charged following thieving in CBD

Police have charged seven people following a series of pickpocketing and theft offences on train and tram networks and at popular shopping precincts across the CBD over the past two months.

As part of Operation Galeforce, detectives from the Melbourne Tasking Unit (MTU) charged seven people in January with theft-related offences.

“Operation Galeforce was an investigation led by the MTU along with our counterparts in Transit Safety Division,” Sgt Chris O’Brien said.

“We investigated a series of organised and often opportunistic pickpocketing and thefts which were occurring for approximately two months across the city, in shopping precincts and on trams and trains.”

“Rest assured Victoria Police takes this type of offending seriously, and our message to anyone out there looking to prey on those going about their everyday business is that you will be arrested and held to account.”

Warrants were executed in Sunshine and Tarneit on January 16, where police arrested four of the seven, including:

•  A 25-year-old female from India

• A 26-year-old female from Sri Lanka

•  A 29-year-old male from Sri Lanka

•  A 32-year-old male from Sri Lanka

The four charged on January 16 were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 14.

Warrants were also executed on January 7 in Albion, which resulted in the charging of three people on January 8, including:

• A 38-year-old male from Sri Lanka

• A 32-year-old female from Sri Lanka

• A 35-year-old male from India

The three charged on January 8 were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 14 •