MELBOURNE, VIC. — Operation Stand officers continue to deliver as they crack down on recidivist and aggressive retail thieves in the Melbourne CBD and Yarra police service area.
Their latest catch is a 38-year-old Footscray man who is alleged to have stolen over $30,000 worth of goods from supermarkets, department stores and other retail outlets between October 2025 and May 2026.
Goods allegedly stolen include vitamins, medicines, sanitary goods, perfumes/fragrances, baby formula and luxury handbags.
Police believe that the goods were then on-sold to a third-party buyer.
The man was arrested in Carnegie on Thursday, June 4 and has been charged with 44 counts of shoplifting.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 1.
Operation Stand was launched in July 2024 and has a dedicated team of police engaging daily with retailers to identify thieves and hold them to account.
Since launching, the team has made more than 230 arrests and laid 1335 charges.
