MELBOURNE, VIC. — An alleged vehicle rebirthing syndicate operating across Melbourne has been dismantled, with 10 vehicles and stolen car parts worth $1.5 million seized across the northern and south-eastern suburbs.
Investigators from the Melton Divisional Crime Tasking Team – with assistance from the Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation and Vehicle Crime Squad units – executed seven search warrants at properties in the Keysborough, Carrum Downs and Brookfield areas, from about 10.30am on Tuesday, June 16.
During the searches, police seized eight high-end Holden HSVs, a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Toyota Land Cruiser, as well as spare parts including:
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- Doors;
- Engine blocks;
- Fake registration plates;
- Transmissions;
- Car seats;
- Bonnets and
- Wheels
Police will allege the vehicles had been stolen from across Melbourne and potentially interstate, with VIN numbers and engine stamps removed and replaced with new ones before the cars were re-registered.
Three people were arrested and charged:
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- A 23-year-old man from Brookfield was charged with three counts of theft of motor vehicle, seven counts of breach of bail, and one count of obtaining property by deception. He was remanded to appear in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on June 17, where his bail was revoked. He will next appear at Wyndham Magistrates’ Court on July 30.
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- A 24-year-old man from Carrum Downs was charged with three counts of theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of possessing suspected proceeds of crime. He was bailed to appear in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on September 14.
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- A 41-year-old man from Park Orchards was charged with five counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and one count each of handling stolen goods and possessing proceeds of crime. He was granted bail to appear in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on December 17.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
