Six people have been charged after $320,000 worth of alcohol was stolen from liquor stores across Melbourne.
Police allege the men were working as part of a syndicate, where some members would steal from liquor stores while others waited in getaway cars outside.
The allegedly stolen alcohol was sold for profit afterwards, police said.
The first arrest was made on November 20 when police were called to a liquor store on Mahoneys Road in Melbourne after being alerted to an alleged robbery at 7pm.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with 68 offences, including the theft of $76,000 worth of alcohol.
He will face Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on February 4.
At the same time as the arrest, police also intercepted a vehicle carrying four people, which they allege was linked to the robberies.
A 30-year-old driver allegedly tested positive for methylamphetamine in a roadside drug test.
Police then allegedly found 40 bottles of alcohol and two shopping baskets from the liquor store.
The alcohol was allegedly stolen from stores in Doveton and Rowville.
The driver of the car is allegedly one of the syndicate leaders.
Three other men inside the vehicle included a 39-year-old man, 30-year-old man and 29-year-old man.
The driver will be charged on a summons with 23 offences, including the theft of over $18,000 worth of alcohol.
The 39-year-old man is another alleged leader of the group and will be charged with 22 offences, including the theft of more than $95,000 worth of alcohol.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on December 4.
The 30-year-old passenger will be charged with 30 offences including the theft of $42,000 worth of alcohol.
He will appear in Sunshine Magistrates Court on February 27, 2025.
The 29-year-old will be charged with 17 offences including the theft of nearly $40,000 worth of alcohol.
He was granted bail and will appear in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on February 24, 2025.
A sixth member of the group, a 23-year-old man, was arrested on November 22 and was charged with 36 offences, including the theft of $57,000 worth of alcohol.
He was granted bail and will appear in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on February 27, 2025.
