Showing all 99 incidents
| SPECS | ALLEGED INCIDENT | MEDIA |
|---|---|---|
May 2026 Shepparton 32 year-old Mooroopna man | 32 year-old Mooroopna man arrested over theft and threats whilst on bailA 32 year-old man from Mooroopna was arrested over an alleged theft at a store on High Street in May where he stole a set of screwdrivers. When he was confronted by staff, it will be alleged he threatened them before fleeing. He has since been charged with theft and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. The man was bailed to appear in Shepparton Magistrates' Court on 3 July. | |
May 2026 Shepparton 32 year-old Shepparton man | 32 year-old Shepparton man charged with theft and criminal damage whilst on bailA 32 year-old man from Shepparton who was wanted over multiple outstanding alleged offences is accused of stealing more than $5,000 worth of alcohol and groceries. He was charged with: •Criminal damage (x9) •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x5) •Contravening conditions of bail (x4) He was again granted bail, to reappear in Shepparton Magistrates' Court on 15 June. | |
May 2026 Shepparton, Mooroopna 41 year-old Mooroopna woman | 41 year-old Mooroopna woman convicted for theft and assault whilst on bailA 41 year-old woman from Mooroopna who allegedly threatened a staff member after stealing from a supermarket on McLennan Street was arrested at the Mooroopna Railway Station. She has been charged with: •Theft •Threatening / assaulting a staff worker •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail | |
May 2026 Shepparton 36 year-old Mooroopna man | 36 year-old Mooroopna man on bail arrested for theftA 36 year-old Mooroopna man who is accused of stealing $15,200 worth of electrical equipment, grocery items, alcohol and clothing in Shepparton was arrested by police and charged with: •Burglary •Stealing from a shop (x2) •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x5) •Trespassing | |
25 May 2026 Narre Warren North 23 year-old Dandenong man, 45 year-old Narre Warren man and 37 year-old Narre Warren man | Trio arrested during home invasion; two were out on bailPolice have charged two men following an attempted aggravated burglary of a home in Narre Warren North. It is alleged three men were seen trying to break into a property on Fontaine Terrace about 2.30am on 25 May. Officers responded quickly, arriving within two to three minutes, and with assistance from the Dog Squad, arrested two men nearby. A third man was observed by the Air Wing allegedly hiding against a fence line before he was arrested after surrendering to the sound of the approaching police dog. A knife, baton, drugs of dependence and a dumped backpack were located by officers at the scene. The 23 year-old Dandenong man has been charged with: •Aggravated burglary •Possessing methylamphetamine •Possessing cannabis •Possessing a prohibited weapon •Going equipped to steal •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The 45 year-old Narre Warren man has been charged with: •Aggravated burglary •Possessing 1,4 Butanediol •Handling stolen goods •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The 37 year-old Narre Warren man was transported to hospital after being bitten by a police dog. | |
22 May 2026 Cranbourne East Six teenagers, from Cranbourne East, Collingwood and Glen Waverley | Six teens, five of them already on bail, steal two cars in an aggravated burglary; three of them immediately released on bailSix teenagers broke into a home in Cranbourne East around 1:15am on Thursday night, stealing a Mercedes and a Mazda before fleeing the scene. The six are: •A 19 year-old Cranbourne East man •An 18 year-old Cranbourne East man •A 16 year-old boy from the Casey area •An 18 year-old Glen Waverley man •A 19 year-old Collingwood woman •An 18 year-old Collingwood woman Of those six, five were already out on bail in relation to other offences. At least three of them were again granted bail over this incident. | |
19 May 2026 Bayswater North, Boronia, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark, Seville Seven young adults from Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs | Police bust meth trafficking syndicate in Melbourne's outer east, seizing meth, firearms, gold bullion and designer handbagsSeven people are facing serious drugs charges over their alleged involvement in a meth trafficking syndicate in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Police executed eight search warrants on Tuesday 19 May at homes and storage units in Bayswater North, Boronia, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark and Seville. During the searches, detectives uncovered approximately 800g of methylamphetamine worth $75,000, four firearms, and gold bullion valued at $22,000. Designer handbags, a watch, jewellery, two vehicles and more than $200,000 in cash – all believed to be the proceeds of crime – were also seized alongside prohibited weapons including imitation firearms, batons, tasers, knuckle dusters, knives and ammunition. Four men and two women were arrested: •A 22 year-old man and 23 year-old woman from Croydon Hills were arrested at a home on Campaspe Drive. It will be alleged police seized more than 600g of methylamphetamine from the property worth more than $60,000 as well as half a litre of 1,4-Butandiol, almost $35,000 in cash and an Audi believed to be the proceeds of crime. Both were charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine, trafficking firearms and possessing proceeds of crime. •A 30 year-old woman was arrested at a home on Wallace Road, Seville. There, investigators seized the gold bullion, and almost $150,000 in cash. The woman was charged with possessing and trafficking methylamphetamine, as well as possessing proceeds of crime. She was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 26 May. •A 44 year-old man was arrested at a property on Connors Lane, Seville where police located a handgun, a pistol, a sawn-off .22 calibre rifle and a sawn-off shotgun. He was interviewed in relation to trafficking a drug of dependence and possessing firearms. •A 26 year-old man from Croydon was arrested in Wantirna South and charged with possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates' Court on 28 August. •Two men aged 23 and 36 were arrested at homes in Boronia and Bayswater North. Both were charged with possessing prohibited weapons and bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates' Court at a later date. | |
15-16 May 2026 Reservoir, Fitzroy Three male teenagers from the Yarra area (two 17 year-olds and a 16 year-old) | Teen trio arrested with machetes in stolen carPolice arrested two 17 year-old males and a 16 year-old male after spotting them speeding with no headlights in a stolen Toyota Prado in the middle of the night. The Air Wing observed the vehicle until it stopped at a dead end in Reservoir. The trio fled on foot and began jumping fences until they reached Edwards Creek Walking Trail where they allegedly began dumping items while the chopper watched from overhead. Police searched the area, locating all three teens and two machetes. The car had been stolen from Fitzroy the day before. All three teens have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a prohibited weapon, and two of them with breach of bail. | |
4-16 May 2026 Brunswick, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin, Malvern East, South Yarra, Craigieburn, Coburg 23 year-old Lalor man and 22 year-old South Morang man | Ball bearing slingshot rampageTwo men have been charged following a rampage across Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs, slingshotting ball bearings at random homes and businesses. Both men were out on bail for other offences at the time. The men travelled between several locations in a vehicle and fired the projectiles at shops, restaurants, businesses, properties and bus shelters in many suburbs, including Brunswick, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin, Malvern East, South Yarra, Craigieburn and Coburg. The attacks include: •A window was shattered at the entrance of an apartment building on Dandenong Road in Malvern East about 10.50pm on Friday, 8 May. A ball bearing was located in the front foyer. •The glass window of a property on Centre Road in Bentleigh East was smashed about 11.50pm on Friday, 8 May. The occupants thought it was a gunshot. Police located a ball bearing at the scene. •A vehicle travelling along Sydney Road in Coburg slowed down outside a restaurant before a ball bearing was discharged into the front glass door about 3.10am on Saturday, 9 May. The windows of a bank and juice bar on Sydney Road were also damaged. •The front window of Brunswick Baths on Dawson Street and several bus shelters in Coburg were also smashed during the early hours of Saturday, 9 May. Following extensive investigations, detectives executed search warrants in Lalor and South Morang on the morning of 22 May, where two men were arrested. Ball bearings were located in both properties and police located two sling shots in South Morang. The 23 year-old Lalor man has been charged with: •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail •Criminal damage (x40) •Reckless conduct endangering serious injury (x11) The 22 year-old South Morang man has been charged with: •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail •Criminal damage (x40) •Reckless conduct endangering serious injury (x11) •Possessing a prohibited weapon | |
4-5 May 2026 Melbourne CBD Two 18 year-old Tarneit men and a 17 year-old Wyndham boy | Three teens charged over Melbourne nightclub arson attacksPolice have charged three teens after a series of arson attacks in Melbourne's CBD earlier this month. Two 18 year-old Tarneit men and a 17 year-old boy from the Wyndham area were charged with multiple counts of offences including: •Aggravated burglary •Burglary •Criminal damage •Attempted aggravated burglary •Criminal damage by fire •Attempted criminal damage by fire •Handle stolen goods •Failing to stop on police direction •Possessing cannabis •Committing an indictable offence while on bail The trio were arrested after allegedly attending two separate venues (La Di Da and Electric Bar) - one of them twice - in the early hours of Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May. The trio ram-raided the venues, before trying to set them on fire. They did not succeed, and one of them accidentally set himself on fire. Search warrants were executed in Tarneit and the Wyndham area on the morning of Wednesday 20 May, where an 18 year-old from Tarneit was arrested. Later in the morning about 10am, another 18 year-old from Tarneit and a 17 year-old from the Wyndham area were both arrested at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong. The 17 year-old was armed with a huge machete. All three teens are known to the police and are believed to be linked to a youth gang. The arrests come as part of a broader investigation into arsons across Melbourne hospitality venues in recent months. At least 40 people have now been charged over the attacks, with police saying some offenders were paid as little as $500 in some cases to commit an arson attack. As at the time of this arrest, police are still searching for about a dozen offenders, who are still at large.  | |
5 May 2026 Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat 21 year-old Wendouree man | Man on bail steals red Toyota and other things, then is immediately bailed againA 21 year-old man was located in an allegedly stolen red Toyota 86 coupe in Bacchus Marsh on 5 May. Officers also discovered stolen property allegedly linked to a series of theft from vehicles in the Ballarat area. The Wendouree man was charged with: •Theft of a motor vehicle •Handling stolen goods (x3) •Fraudulently using registration plates •Committing an indictable offence while on bail He faced Ballarat Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear again on 4 June. | |
29 April 2026 Toorak Rd, South Yarra 40 year-old man | Man on bail uses knife to try to rob South Yarra supermarketA man walked into a supermarket brandishing a multi-tool knife around 9:15pm on Wednesday night, pointed it at a staff member and demanded cigarettes. He plunged the knife into a countertop multiple times before smashing an EFTPOS machine. The man has been charged with: •Attempted armed robbery •Criminal damage •Theft •Possessing a controlled weapon •Bail offences | |
28 April 2026 Fitzroy St, St Kilda 39 year-old Tarneit man Victim: 65 year-old St Kilda pharmacy owner | Man on bail abuses and brutally coward punches elderly pharmacy owner in face in his own storeA Melbourne pharmacy owner has been left with severe facial injuries after being brutally assaulted in his own store. Russell Frajman, 65, had been attempting to remove a customer from his pharmacy on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda about 12.47pm on Wednesday, when he was subjected to vicious abuse and a physical attack. Shocking CCTV footage shows Frajman speaking with a man in hi-vis and asking him to leave, shortly before he was punched in the face. He was left bruised, with cuts on his face and broken glasses. Frajman's wife, Charlotte, told 9News her husband was blindsided by the sudden coward punch. "We've both been attacked in the pharmacy in the past, so we both have our wits about us," she said. "But we just didn't see it coming." Charlotte earlier told 3AW they waited five hours for police to arrive at the scene after the assault. Frajman eventually attended the police station himself to report the assault. "The last 12 to 18 months have just been diabolical and there are zero police," Charlotte told 3AW. "To wait more than five hours after reporting on Triple-Zero an actual assault of a community pharmacist... and to have followed up with two phone calls directly to St Kilda police to say, 'What's going on? How long are we meant to wait?'." The following evening, Police arrested a Tarneit man at a licensed venue in Werribee. He has been charged with: •Intentionally causing injury •Attempted theft •Wilful damage •Committing an indictable offence on bail •Possessing a drug of dependence •Being armed with criminal intent •Possessing a dangerous article •Offensive behaviour  | |
28 April 2026 Hillview Street, Yarra Junction 40 year-old Yarra Junction man Victim: 38 year-old man | Man on bail stabs acquaintance multiple times in upper body in Yarra JunctionEmergency services responded to reports a man had been stabbed on Hillview Street about 6.25pm. The 38 year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital. The offender fled the scene prior to police arrival. Following a thorough search by investigators, a 40 year-old Yarra Junction man was arrested, hiding in a laneway in Yarra Junction about 8pm. The two men involved are known to each other. Witnesses described the violence that had erupted on the street, with the accused yelling and smashing car windows. When he was confronted by people known to him, he pulled out a knife and a brawl broke out and the victim was stabbed multiple times in the upper body. The offender became more and more aggressive. After he fled, neighbours rushed to help the victim, who lay bleeding in the middle of the road. A witness near the scene of the arrest described the offender continually yelling "I didn't mean to do it." during the arrest process. Police charged the 40 year-old Yarra Junction man with: •Intentionally causing serious injury •Recklessly causing serious injury •Criminal damage •Unlawful assault •Using a controlled weapon without lawful excuse •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail | |
April 2026 Chapel St, South Yarra 26 year-old Abbotsford man | Abbotsford man on bail arrested for shopliftingA 26 year-old man from Abbotsford was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident. He was also charged with breaching his bail. He is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 13 October. | |
April 2026 Chapel St, South Yarra 40 year-old man | Man on bail arrested for shoplifting on Chapel Street two days in a rowA 40 year-old man was arrested after a foot pursuit on Chapel Street following an alleged theft from a supermarket. It will be alleged he was arrested the next day for another shoplifting offence. He was charged with shoplifting and failing to appear on bail. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 19 October. | |
25 April 2026 Laverton 41 year-old Geelong man Victim: 34 year-old Laverton man, 23 year-old Point Cook man | Geelong man on bail randomly assaults people in LavertonA 34 year-old Laverton man was quietly waiting for a train at Laverton Station on Saturday afternoon, when he was approached by the offender around 2:15pm. The offender, a 41 year-old Geelong man, struck the man multiple times with a small knife. He sustained minor injuries, but managed to escape and call 000. The offender then boarded a train and assaulted a second victim - a 23 year-old Point Cook man. An off-duty senior constable, who was on his way to an ANZAC Day service, witnessed the assault, and intervened by taking the offender to the ground. The constable held the offender down until other officers arrived and formally arrested him. The offender was charged with: •Intentionally causing injury •Recklessly causing injury •Reckless conduct endangering serious injury •Assault with a weapon •Criminal damage •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail | |
25 April 2026 AC/DC Lane, Melbourne CBD A 17 year-old Darebin male, a 16 year-old Hume male and a 15 year-old Merri-bek male | Teens on bail set popular CBD bar on fireBar Bambi, a popular Melbourne CBD bar, has been attacked by arsonists for the second time – the latest in a string of suspicious blazes and abductions across the city. Police were alerted after Melbourne City Council staff spotted a suspicious vehicle on safety cameras near the corner of Flinders and AC/DC lanes, shortly after 5am on Saturday morning. Officers arrived quickly at the scene, but found the shopfront fully ablaze. Police managed to chase down two offenders by foot, then arrested a third in a laneway a short time later. The three males, aged 17 (from Darebin), 16 (from Hume) and 15 (from Merri-bek) have each been charged with: •Criminal damage by fire •Burglary •Theft of a motor vehicle •Handling stolen goods The 17 year-old has also been charged with committing an indictable offence while on bail. | |
23 April 2026 Berwick 26 year-old Narre Warren man | Narre Warren man on bail charged with 40 offencesPolice have arrested a 26 year-old Narre Warren man following a series of burglaries. He has been charged with: •Burglary (x6) •Theft of a motor vehicle (x6) •Attempted theft of a motor vehicle (x4) •Escaping custody •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The charges relate to an alleged burglary at a mechanics on Enterprise Avenue about 9:15pm on Thursday 23 April where he stole a Mitsubishi Triton, and police will allege he committed a series of commercial burglaries in the Berwick area on that night. | |
21 April 2026 Lalor, Thomastown 19 year-old Lalor man | Man on bail rams pharmacy with Rav 4 before stealing drugs and torching carA 19 year-old Lalor man on bail used a stolen white Rav 4 to ram-raid Advantage Pharmacy in Lalor around 10:45pm on a Tuesday night. The man gained access to the smashed up Lorne Street business, stealing a large amount of medication before fleeing the scene in the car. The Rav 4, which was stolen from Southbank on 14 April, was later found burnt out in Thomastown. Police arrested the man in Lalor the following afternoon, charging him with: •Aggravated burglary •Theft of a motor vehicle •Theft •Failing to stop a vehicle on police direction •Failing to stop a vehicle after a collision •Criminal damage by fire (arson) •Possessing a drug of dependence •Possessing a prohibited weapon •Unlicensed driving •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The pharmacy continued to serve customers from the street on the day following the attack. | |
18-22 April 2026 Port Melbourne, Carnegie, Clyde North Six teenagers, including a 14 year-old Melton male, a 16 year-old Melton female, a 16 year-old Merri-bek male and a 16 year-old Dandenong male Victim: Two males | Machete-wielding teenage gang hunts down and savagely beats unarmed men with metal pole, as victims plead for mercyAt least six hooded and masked teenagers chased down, ambushed and savagely beat two unarmed men in broad daylight on Port Melbourne's busiest street. Footage of the incident shows the victims, clearly terrified, running for their lives, before one trips over and is caught, then punched, kicked, stomped and savagely beaten with a metal pole as he begs for mercy. The other victim was also caught and beaten as he called for help, alerting a nearby tradie who came to his rescue. The attackers sped off in a white Haval SUV, which had been stolen from a gym in Clyde North two days prior. Police tracked the car and dramatically cornered it in Carnegie two days later, just after midnight, arresting four teenagers and recovering several hatchets, a sledgehammer and a steel pole. Police have laid the following charges: •14 year-old Melton male: Theft of a motor vehicle and affray •16 year-old Melton female: Theft of a motor vehicle and affray •16 year-old Merri-bek male: Theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated carjacking, burglary and affray. This male has quickly been released into the community on bail. •16 year-old Dandenong male: Theft of a motor vehicle, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. This male has again been quickly released into the community on bail. UPDATE: Fifth boy charged with affray, committing indictable offence while on bail, aggravated burglary (x3), thefts and theft of motor vehicle: Victoria Police |
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17 April 2026 Eaton Mall, Oakleigh A gang of youths, including a 17 year-old Stonnington male, a 14 year-old Dandenong male and a 17 year-old Knox male Victim: An 18 year-old East Malvern man | Violent gang storms diners with machetes in Oakleigh, leaving teen with serious injuries and blood spattered on pavementAround 7:45pm on Friday 17 April, a group of twelve people were seated at Vanilla Dessert Bar and Lounge on Eaton Mall in Melbourne's bustling, family-friendly Greek precinct of Oakleigh, when they were stormed by a group of eight to ten people wearing balaclavas, some carrying machetes. A violent brawl broke out and an 18 year-old East Malvern man was stabbed and slashed, then taken to hospital with serious injuries. Videos later posted to social media show him cowering on the floor being beaten by a group, while one attacker strikes him with a long blade. A 16 year-old was also assaulted. Witnesses ran in chaotic panic to escape from harm's way. The parties involved in the incident are known to each other, and it was a targeted attack. On Thursday 23 April, police arrested a 17 year-old male from Stonnington, a 14 year-old from Dandenong and a 17 year-old from Knox, charging them with a range of offences, including: •Intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence •Intentionally causing serious injury •Recklessly causing serious injury •Violent disorder •Affray •Assault with a weapon •Common law assault •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail As of 24 April, the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. |
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15 April 2026 Balaclava A 23 year-old Windsor man and a 26 year-old Essendon man | Supermarket theft and assault in BalaclavaTwo men entered a Camden Street supermarket before stealing several items. Personnel tried to stop the two men and recover stolen items before they were assaulted, one with a knife. The offenders fled and were quickly arrested at the Balaclava Railway Station. The 23 year-old Windsor man was charged with: •Two counts of recklessly causing injury •Common law assault •Unlawful assault •Assault with a weapon •Possession of drugs •Use a controlled weapon •Committing an indictable offence on bail The 26 year-old Essendon man was charged with theft, assault and possession of drugs. He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 01 May. The arrest forms part of a retail theft blitz in the Port Phillip area. Local police intelligence indicates a core group of 11 offenders is allegedly responsible for over 500 shop thefts across Port Phillip in the past year. This equates to around 40% of all retail theft across South Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, and Balaclava. | |
9-14 April 2026 Templestowe, Wollert, Malvern 17 year-old Hobson’s Bay male, two 17 year-old Wyndham males | Six days, six crimes: Three 17 year-olds arrested for string of kidnappings and home invasions while on bailDetectives have arrested three 17 year-olds as part of an investigation into six incidents potentially linked to the targeting of hospitality venues. Investigators will allege those involved have been targeting promoters for an event held at a licensed venue on York Street in South Melbourne on Saturday nights. The incidents are: •An attempted kidnapping from a Templestowe address on 9 April •An aggravated home invasion at the same Templestowe address on 10 April •An attempted aggravated carjacking at a Wollert address on 12 April •An attempted aggravated home invasion at the same Wollert address on 13 April •A second attempted aggravated home invasion later that day at the Wollert address on 13 April •An aggravated home invasion and kidnapping – believed to be a targeted incident but at the wrong address – from a Malvern address on 14 April The 17-year old male from Hobsons Bay has been charged with: •Aggravated home invasion •Intentionally causing injury •Assaults •Attempted kidnapping •Attempted aggravated home invasion (x3) •Kidnapping •Unlawful imprisonment •Intentionally causing injury •Theft of a motor vehicle (x4) •Handling stolen goods (x2) •Criminal damage (fire) of a vehicle •Unlicensed driving •Being a learner driver without a supervisor (x4) •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x5) •Resisting police •Possessing a drug of dependence (methylamphetamine) (x2) •Possession of a controlled weapon •Possession of cartridge ammunition without a licence A 17 year-old male from Wyndham has been charged with: •Aggravated home invasion •Intentionally causing injury •Attempted kidnapping •Attempted aggravated home invasion (x3) •Criminal damage (fire) of a vehicle •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x5) •Possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence The other 17 year-old male from Wyndham has been charged with: •Aggravated home invasion •Intentionally causing injury (x2) •Attempted kidnapping •Attempted aggravated home invasion (x3) •Kidnapping •False imprisonment •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x4) •Theft of motor vehicle •Resisting police | |
14 April 2026 Geelong CBD A 41 year-old woman and a 44 year-old man | Woman and man arrested after eight-week Geelong crime spree, including spitting in shop attendnt's facePolice arrested and charged a 41-year-old woman for allegedly stealing $3000 worth of pharmaceuticals from a Geelong supermarket. They continued to investigate the woman and linked her and a 44-year-old man to $32,000 worth of shop thefts over the last eight weeks. In once incident, the woman spat in the face of a shop attendant when approached for stealing $11,000 in cosmetics. Police arrested the pair in Geelong CBD on 14 April and charged them with 23 combined offences including shop theft, unlawful assault and committing indictable offence while on bail. | |
22 March – 13 April 2026 Shepparton, Warrandyte, Dandenong, Kialla, Clyde, Echuca, Orrvale 29 year-old Shepparton man | Man arrested after stealing seven cars (including a police car) whilst out on bailA 29 year-old Shepparton man has been arrested after allegedly stealing seven cars, as follows: •22 March: A Kia Stinger sedan in Warrandyte •22 March: A Kia Stinger sedan in Dandenong •07 April: A Chevrolet ute in Kialla •10 April: An unmarked police car, being a blue Kia Sorrento in Shepparton •10 April: A Holden Calais sedan in Clyde •12 April: A Toyota Hilux in Echuca (including an aggravated burglary, and theft of cash, keys and personal items) •13 April: A Ford Falcon sedan in Orrvale The man was arrested in Kialla on 16 April and charged with: •Seven counts of theft of a motor vehicle •Use of Victoria Police ID •Trafficking methylamphetamine •Possessing GHB •Dealing with the proceeds of crime •Possession of an offensive weapon •Two counts of theft •Obtaining property by deception •Unlicensed driving •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail | |
26 March – 05 April 2026 Fairfield 40 year-old Richmond man Victim: A Fairfield woman | Creepy stalker on bail terrorizes woman in FairfieldA woman has been subjected to a terrifying course of stalking around her home in Fairfield. The woman was on a run in Fairfield Park on 26 March around 11am, when she noticed an unknown man staring at her. On 31 March the woman returned home and saw the same man standing across the road, staring at her, before he crossed the road and approached the victim, stating he thought she was someone else. On 5 April at 8.28pm, the man approached the woman’s apartments and stood outside the door before the victim told him to leave. He left but returned at 8.42pm and stood outside the apartments for about 12 minutes before leaving. The man returned for the final time at 9.36pm and knocked on the victim’s door but left after she told him she would call police. The man was described as being of African appearance, aged in his 30s with long black hair. He was wearing the same clothing on every occasion which was a black graphic tee-shirt, blue jeans and was carrying a brown leather bag. Police released an image of the suspect:  Police arrested the Richmond man in Richmond on 17 April. | |
04 April 2026 Victoria 9 men, aged between 31 and 72 | Police smash billion-dollar drug importing conspiracy, arresting nine men, including prominent horse racing identitiesNine men have been charged for their alleged links to a syndicate behind a large-scale conspiracy to import tonnes of illicit drugs worth more than a billion dollars into Victoria and traffic drugs around the country. Among those arrested are prominent horse racing figures: trainer Grant Dalziel, his son Peter and former jockey Brian Park. The ten-month investigation, Operation Bruce Cremorne, was run by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), which includes the AFP, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). The alleged offenders, aged between 31 and 72, have been charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged conspiracy and the interstate trafficking of illicit drugs, and seven are facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted. Operation Bruce Cremorne was launched in late May 2025, when four crew members were rescued after a commercial trawler sank off the coast of Port Albert, Victoria. The JOCTF began monitoring the movements of the crew due to suspicions about why the vessel had travelled out to sea in bad weather without equipment usually required for commercial fishing. Over the following months, police undertook surveillance of multiple local boat crews suspected to be linked to a drug importation syndicate. It is alleged the syndicate made multiple attempts to travel into Bass Strait to launch suspected 'daughter vessels' to travel to a predetermined drop zone to receive significant quantities of illicit drugs from a 'mother ship' passing through Australian waters. The syndicate was unsuccessful in alleged attempts to facilitate any such transfer and no importation occurred. The Victorian JOCTF executed rolling search warrants over the past month across the Victorian suburbs of Morwell, Glenroy, Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South and Greenvale. The two Morwell men were on bail at the time. A further warrant was executed in the Sydney suburb of St Clair. As part of this sweeping operational activity, eight men were arrested in Victoria and one man was arrested in Sydney. Seven of the men were arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to import illicit drugs, while two were solely charged for their alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking activity. Four of the men were also charged in connection to the seizure of 30kg of methamphetamine by the WA JOCTF in Perth on 11 August, 2025, and the seizure of 41kg of cocaine by the Victoria Police Viper Taskforce at Barnawartha in regional Victoria days later (13 August, 2025). It will be alleged these seizures in Western Australia and Victoria are connected to the criminal syndicate, which exploited trucking industry connections to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs between Australian states. Investigations into the international syndicate behind an alleged mothership attempting to drop illicit cargo into Australian waters remain ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out. Charges A Greenvale man, 34, has been charged with: •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely 1.8 tonnes of cocaine •Attempting to import a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Attempting to possess a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 30kg of methamphetamine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 41kg of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 3.5 tonnes of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 890kg of cocaine A Glenroy man, 63, was charged with: •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely 1.8 tonnes of cocaine •Attempting to import a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Attempting to possess a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine, •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 30kg of methamphetamine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 41kg of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 3.5 tonnes of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 890kg of cocaine A Morwell man, 38, was charged with: •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely 1.8 tonnes of cocaine •Committing an indictable offence while on bail •Possessing a firearm as a prohibited person A Morwell man, 44, was charged with: •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, namely 1.8 tonnes of cocaine •Committing an indictable offence while on bail •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 3.5 tonnes of cocaine •Possessing a drug of dependence, namely cannabis •Possessing a drug of dependence, namely heroin A Cranbourne West man, 45, was charged with: •Attempting to import a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Attempting to possess a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 30kg of methamphetamine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 3.5 tonnes of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 890kg of cocaine A Cranbourne South man, 38, was charged with: •Attempting to import a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Attempting to possess a border-controlled drug, namely 600kg of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 3.5 tonnes of cocaine •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 890kg of cocaine •Possessing an unregistered firearm A Glen Huntly man, 72, was charged with: •Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely 890kg of cocaine •Possessing an unregistered handgun A Glenroy man, 52, was charged with: •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 30kg of methamphetamine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 41kg of cocaine A St Clair man, 31, was charged with: •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 30kg of methamphetamine •Trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs, namely 41kg of cocaine Three of the men charged were released on bail, whilst the other six were remanded in custody. | |
26 March 2026 Werribee 47 year-old Wyndham Vale man | Wyndham Vale man on bail driving unlicensed with false platesPolice arrested a 47 year-old Wyndham Vale man on Ballan Road around 11:20pm. He was driving a Ford Falcon ute with false number plates. He was also charged with driving an unregistered car, unlicensed driving and breach of bail. | |
23 March 2026 Bendigo 36 year-old North Bendigo member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang | Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member on bail arrested with drugs, cash and weaponsPolice intercepted a vehicle on Mitchell Street in Bendigo about 11.10am. Officers searched the vehicle, seizing drugs, cash, .22 calibre ammunition and knuckle dusters, and arrested the 36 year-old driver. Detectives then executed search warrants at addresses in North Bendigo and Jackass Flat, where they located and seized several vials of testosterone and a safe. The North Bendigo man has been charged with several offences, including: * Trafficking cocaine * Possessing cocaine * Dealing with suspected proceeds of crime * Possessing a prohibited weapon without an exemption * Using an unregistered motor vehicle * Being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition * Commit indictable offence whilst on bail. | |
23 March 2026 Ashwood A 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys, all from the Cardinia area | Three teens invade Ashwood home and steal AudiThree masked teenagers broker into an Ashwood home around 1:55am on Sunday night. A terrified husband and wife barricaded themselves in their bedroom while the gang of thugs ransacked their home. The teens eventually stole the couple’s Audi A1 and fled in it. The car was spotted by police a short time later. Air Wing followed the vehicle along the Monash Freeway at high speeds (up to 190km/h), before stop sticks were deployed near the Heatherton Road exit. The Audi continued along Princes Highway towards Narre Warren, before it was dumped in Valley Fair Drive and the three occupants fled on foot. A 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys, all from the Cardinia area, were arrested on Strawbent Rise. One of the 17-year-old boys was charged with home invasion, theft of a motor vehicle, theft and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. The other 17-year-old boy was charged with home invasion, theft of a motor vehicle and theft. They were both remanded to appear at a children’s court. The 16-year-old was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being chased and bitten by a police dog. | |
19 March 2026 Clayton 16 year-old male from the Stonnington area Victim: 25 year-old Mount Waverley woman | UPDATE: Footage of stabbing now available: 7 News Teen on bail randomly stabs 25 year-old Mount Waverley woman in ClaytonA 16 year-old male from the Stonnington area randomly stabbed a 25 year-old Mount Waverley woman on her way to work nearby, around 7:50am on Thursday morning. The offender and the victim were not known to each other, and the attack was unprovoked. Police were called to M-City Shopping Centre on Blackburn Road to reports a woman had been stabbed at the top of the escalators. She was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a serious condition. The woman, whose identity has not been released to protect her privacy, was described by eyewitnesses as an ordinary commuter heading to her job in the vicinity. The offender fled the area but was arrested a short time later at medical centre in Clayton. The offender has been charged with: •Intentionally causing injury •Recklessly causing injury •Assault with a weapon •Possessing a controlled weapon •Theft •Committing and indictable offence whilst on bail He had stolen a knife from Woolworths just moments before the attack. He was remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date. |
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12 March 2026 Maribyrnong, Glen Waverley 16 year-old Knox male, 13 year-old Yarra Ranges girl, two 16 year-old Darebin males, one unidentified offender | Five teens – at least one out on bail – take stolen lambo for 15-hour joyride and police chase before crashingA group of teens allegedly entered a property on The Esplanade in Maribyrnong in the middle of the night, stole a black 2020 Lamborghini Urus wagon and fled the scene. Officers responded to multiple reports of the vehicle driving erratically in surrounding suburbs, before losing sight of it in Keilor Park. The Lamborghini continued to evade police throughout the day and was allegedly seen driving recklessly on highways and over footpaths, putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk. The car was later spotted in Glen Waverley where it allegedly ran a red light and continued at excessive speeds. Air Wing followed the Lamborghini through several suburbs before it returned to Glen Waverley and drove through a shopping centre car park. Three occupants got out of the car and fled on foot. The driver continued on, exiting the car park and drove around the back of the shopping centre, before losing control and crashing into the fence of a property on Myers Avenue about 4.35pm. Regarding the occupants: •The driver, a 16-year-old boy from the Knox area, was arrested at the scene. He was released and is expected to be charged. •A 13-year-old girl from the Yarra Ranges area was arrested on 15 March and charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle. She appeared in a children’s court and was bailed to appear at a later date. •Police were alerted after a 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area removed or tampered with his ankle monitor on 11 March. •A second 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area who is also removed or tampered with his ankle monitor on 11 March was arrested on 18 March. He has been charged with aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, driving whilst disqualified, criminal damage (to his ankle bracelet), committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and post & boast. He was remanded to appear at a children’s court. •One offender remains outstanding. The car belongs to a man named Ozzie Kheir, who is the founder of the property development company Resimax Group. Photos of the stolen SUV issued by police clearly show a personalized “RESIMX” license plate. | |
08-15 March 2026 Box Hill, Blackburn South, Nunawading, Doncaster, Patterson Lakes, Glen Waverley Three foreign nationals with no valid visa aged 36, 40 and 40, two Doncaster men aged 31 and 37, and a 48 year-old Patterson Lakes man | Police smash Box Hill drug syndicate across eastern suburbs, seizing $1.7 in drugs and cash, and weaponsPolice have busted an organised drug trafficking syndicate and seized more than $1.7 million worth of illicit drugs and cash after a series of warrants across Melbourne's east. Detectives executed 11 warrants across Box Hill (x5), Blackburn South (x2), Nunawading, Doncaster, Patterson Lakes and Glen Waverley this week as part of a months-long investigation. In total, seven people were arrested and police seized: •436 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of $1,000,000 •More than 130kg of dried cannabis with an estimated street value of $600,000 •Almost half a kilo of MDMA with an estimated street value of $25,000 •Quantities of cocaine with an estimated street value of $25,000 •Quantities of methylamphetamine with an estimated street value of $10,000 •More than $55,000 cash which is alleged to be the proceeds of crime •5,000 illicit nicotine vapes •Five firearm silencers •A machete •A pill press, cannabis grow lights and an electrical bypass Six men were charged with a range of offences including: •Two men, aged 36 and 40, both foreign nationals with no valid visas, who were charged with trafficking commercial quantities of cannabis, MDMA, and methylamphetamine. Both were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 June. •Two Doncaster men, aged 31 and 37, who were charged with cultivating cannabis, trafficking cannabis, possessing the proceeds of crime and possessing schedule 4 poison. Both were bailed to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 29 May. •A 40-year-old man, also a foreign national with no valid visa, who was charged possessing drugs of dependence, possessing a firearms silencer, committing an indictable offence while on bail, and two counts with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. He has been detained by immigration authorities and will appear at court on 7 May. •A 48-year-old Patterson Lakes man who was charged with possessing drugs of dependence. He was bailed to appear before court at a later date. A seventh man, aged 26 from Box Hill, was released pending further enquiries. The investigation remains ongoing. | |
11 March 2026 Glen Iris, Toorak 16 year-old male from Darebin, 14 year-old male from Port Phillip | Violent teenagers on bail cut anke bracelets and go on the runTwo of the state’s most high-risk youth offenders are on the run after removing their state-issued ankle monitoring devices designed to track their every move. Victoria Police launched a search for the two boys, aged 14 and 16, after learning the tracking devices – which were issued as part of their bail conditions – were no longer working. The 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area is described as a high-risk offender known to steal vehicles during aggravated burglaries, carry weapons and engage in police pursuits. He was last seen at Gardiner Railway Station in Glen Iris, about 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 March. Around 7.30pm, police were alerted to reports a second boy had also removed his ankle monitor in Toorak. Officers attended a property in the area, where an ankle monitor was found in a stormwater drain. The 14 year-old boy was seen leaving the area in a white Toyota SUV. The teens are known to each other and may be travelling together. | |
23 February – 2 March 2026 Pakenham, Lynbrook, Bellfield, Waterways, Clyde North Two 18 year-old Endeavour Hills men, an 18 year-old Frankston man, another Frankston man, and a 22 year-old homeless man | Gang on crime spree attacks innocent young family in home with machetes and baseball batsA gang of youths violently tried to smash their way a home on Honeyeater Way in Pakenham around 4am on 23 February 2026, while an innocent young family cowered inside. A 3 year-old girl and a 6 year-old girl were among the residents sleeping. A resident home at the time went to their front door and observed multiple alleged offenders, carrying machetes and baseball bats. Confronting footage shows the group smashing windows and trying to break the door down. One of the offenders had a gun. The alleged offenders did not gain access to the home, and fled the scene. Twenty minute later, two occupants of a property on Astley Way in Lynbrook woke to commotion inside their home about 4.20am. The intruders were spooked by the occupants and their dogs, before fleeing in a black Audi (stolen in Waterways) and a white Mitsubishi ASX (stolen in Preston). The gang then broke into another home in Bellfield, where a 20 year-old resident was injured. The homes may have been attacked in retaliation for a stabbing in Collingwood which left two youths seriously wounded. Detectives allege these incidents are linked to an aggravated burglary at a property on Salamanca Drive in Clyde North on Monday afternoon around 1pm. Thousands of dollars worth of luxury items, including handbags, wallets, watches and a robe, were stolen from the home, with the group later boasting about their loot in a series of posts on social media. As of 02 February 2026, police have arrested five men in Endeavour Hills and Frankston, aged between 18 and 22, and laid various charges, including: •Home invasion •Aggravated burglary •Theft of a motor vehicle •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail | |
01 November 2025 - 25 February 2026 Cranbourne East, Eastern and South-Eastern suburbs 31 year-old Cranbourne East man | Man on bail arrested for staggering 98 offencesA man has been charged with a staggering 98 offences following an extensive investigation into thefts across Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs between November 2025 and February 2026. Detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Duce Street in Cranbourne East on Wednesday, 25 February about 8am. A man fled the property on foot, however he was located in the rear yard of a neighbouring property and taken into custody. During the search of the property, officers located a stolen BMW, stolen power tools, a small quantity of methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol. The 31-year-old man has been charged with 98 offences, including: * Burglary * Theft * Theft of motor vehicle * Theft from motor vehicle * Handling stolen goods * Obtaining property by deception * Unlicensed driving * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail * Failure to answer bail | |
23 February 2026 Sunbury, Wildwood, Melton, Ascot Vale, Craigieburn, Coolaroo, Footscray, Gisborne, Derrimut, Deer Park, Diggers Rest, Port Melbourne, Thomastown, Tullamarine Two Sunbury men aged 34 and 35, and two Wildwood men | Car theft syndicate busted with more than 20 stolen cars recoveredAn alleged syndicate responsible for a series of high-end car thefts across Melbourne has been busted, with police charging four people and recovering more than 20 stolen vehicles. Among the 21 vehicles seized was a bobcat, a tow truck, a minibus, a custom Holden Caprice, a Toyota Hilux, a Ford Ranger and several trailers and motorcycles. It's alleged the syndicate has been targeting cars parked in public car parks, on the street and at private businesses across multiple suburbs including Coolaroo, Footscray, Gisborne, Derrimut, Deer Park, Diggers Rest, Port Melbourne, Thomastown and Tullamarine. Police also seized multiple third-party electronic key reprogramming devices as part of the investigation, which was allegedly the predominant method used by offenders to steal the vehicles. The first search warrant was executed on Tuesday 3 February at a property in Wildwood where 10 vehicles were uncovered. Further search warrants were undertaken on Monday 16 February in Melton, Ascot Vale and Sunbury, and on Tuesday 17 February in Craigieburn where police recovered the remaining 11 vehicles and arrested the two alleged ringleaders. Two men aged 34 and 35-years-old, both from Sunbury, have been charged with more than 60 offences, including: •Burglary •Theft of and from motor vehicle •Handling stolen goods •Recklessly exposing police to risk by driving •Committing an indictable offence while on bail They have both been remanded to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 3 March 2026. Two other men from Wildwood were charged with handling stolen goods, and were bailed to appear at court at a later date. In addition to the 21 vehicles recovered, police also recovered a range of other items including: •Two third party electronic key reprogramming devices •Multiple sets of keys •Multiple false and stolen registration plates •Various tools •Window breaker •Multiple electronic devices •More than $3,800 in cash •Small quantity of drugs believed to be cannabis and methylamphetamine The use of third-party electronic key reprogramming devices to steal cars is an increasing trend. | |
19 February 2026 Geelong 16 year-old Geelong boy | Teen on bail stabs another teen in a violent brawl in Geelong CBDA violent brawl broke out between two teenage boys, known to each other, at a shopping centre on Little Malop Street on Thursday afternoon. The brawl was watched by a crowd of teenage audience members, and one boy ultimately stabbed the other. The 17 year-old victim was taken to hospital with critical injuries. The offender was arrested the next day, and charged with: •Intentionally causing injury (x2) •Affray •Assault with a weapon •Committing an offence whilst on bail He was again bailed. | |
01 September 2025 - 31 January 2026 Ringwood North, Malvern East, Hawthorn, Clayton, Pakenham, Ferntree Gully, Frankston, Narre Warren, Bayswater 27 year-old Ringwood North man | Police arrest bailed prolific car thief who used "key reprogramming devices" to steal at least 25 carsPolice executed a search warrant at a home in Ringwood North on 29 January 2026, arresting a 27 year-old man, later charging him with more than 60 offences, after he used third party electronic key reprogramming devices to steal at least 25 cars. The alleged thefts occurred across Melbourne's east and southeast from Malvern East, Hawthorn, Clayton, Pakenham, Ferntree Gully, Frankston, Narre Warren to Bayswater between September 2025 and January 2026. Police will allege the thief used key mimicking tools to access, reprogram and steal vehicles parked in train station carparks. Some were also stolen from residential driveways and streets. A key mimicking device was located in his possession. The Ringwood North man was charged with more than 60 offences, including: * Theft of a motor vehicle * Burglary * Criminal damage * Unlicensed driving * Going equipped to steal * Committing an indictable offence while on bail * Handling stolen goods * Possessing drugs of dependence He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 February, where police will look to issue further charges. Throughout the investigation detectives also located seven allegedly stolen cars and seven separate sets of stolen registration plates both at the Ringwood North address and nearby. Third party electronic key reprogramming devices have become increasingly available for purchase. While they are not illegal to own, police seized more than 300 devices from offenders in the last four months of 2025. | |
06 February 2026 Cranbourne 51 year-old Frankston man, 34 year-old Cranbourne man | Assault with hammer outside Cranbourne homeTwo men assaulted another man around 10am outside a home on Wallace Rd, Cranbourne, striking him with a hammer. The 51 year-old Frankston man has been charged with: * Intentionally causing serious injury * Assault with a weapon * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The 34 year-old Cranbourne man was charged with intentionally causing injury. The three men are known to each other. | |
04 February 2026 Narre Warren South, Berwick, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren 20 year-old Doveton man, 23 year-old Berwick man | Shotgun home invasion and Mercedes theftTwo men allegedly forced their way into a property in Narre Warren South around 2am, armed with a sawn-off shotgun and an edged weapon. A 30-year-old male victim was home at the time. The men allegedly stole a Mercedes SUV wagon from the property and fled the scene. The vehicle was tracked and followed through multiple suburbs including Berwick, Narre Warren North and Narre Warren. Stop sticks were deployed and the car came to a stop on Narre Warren North Road in Narre Warren. Police, along with Airwing, special units, the dog squad and Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) officers were deployed to assist with an arrest. The two men ran from the scene and were arrested nearby at approximately 3.50am. One was transported to hospital for observation before being released into police custody. The 20-year-old Doveton man was charged with: * Home invasion with firearm * Theft of motor vehicle * Theft * Carrying a firearm as a prohibited person * Dangerous driving whilst pursued by police * Possessing a prohibited weapon * Unlicensed driving The 23-year-old Berwick man was charged with: * Home invasion with a firearm * Theft * Firearms offences * Bail-related offences Both men were to be directly presented to Melbourne Magistrates' Court and police were to seek remand. | |
August - 30 January 2026 Hastings 26 year-old Hastings man | Hastings man charged over copper theftsPolice arrested a 26 year-old Hastings man after executing a warrant about 8:45am on 30 January 2026 at a Hastings home as part of an ongoing investigation. The man was interviewed in relation to a number of copper thefts from power poles in the Hastings area since August last year. Officers located a large amount of copper wiring at the property during a search. He was charged with: * Theft * Dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates' Court on 21 April. | |
28 January 2026 Dandenong South 31 year-old Carrum Downs man, 30 year-old Loch Sport man | Two men burgle business and steal car in Dandenong SouthTwo men allegedly broke into a car detailing business and stole a Jeep Cherokee just before 11pm, fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle. The business owner received a notification on his CCTV camera system of the burglary and notified police, before the Air Wing quickly spotted the car travelling south on Frankston-Dandenong Road. The Jeep stopped on Illawarra Crescent in Dandenong North, where the passenger got out of the vehicle and entered a property. The driver continued into Avon Court where he pulled over and was arrested. Officers then entered the Illawarra Crescent address where they located the passenger hiding in a cupboard. The 31-year-old Carrum Downs man was charged with: •Burglary •Theft of motor vehicle •Handling stolen goods •Fail to stop on police direction •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 29 January. The 30-year-old Loch Sport man was charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 3 March. | |
20 January 2026 Sebastopol 30 year-old Delacombe man | Man on bail shoots acquaintance, and is arrested with taser, slingshot, machete, ammo and drugsShortly after midnight, a 29 year-old man presented himself to a Ballarat hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower body. Later that day, police arrested a 30 year-old man and a 28 year-old woman at a home in Delacombe and charged the man with: •Reckless conduct endangering life •Intentionally causing injury •Recklessly causing injury •Common law assault •Prohibited person using a firearm •Possessing a firearm when a Firearm Prohibition Order applies •Using a firearm in a dangerous manner •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail •Possessing cannabis •Possessing a controlled weapon •Possessing a prohibited weapon •Handling stolen goods The woman was released without charge pending further enquiries. Detectives also seized a number of items from the Delacombe property, including a taser, a slingshot, a machete, ammunition and drugs. Police believe the incident was targeted and that parties involved were known to each other. | |
20 January 2026 Cobden 26 year-old Cobden man | Man on bail shoots woman in CobdenA 26 year-old Cobden man shot a woman at a house in Cobden around 6pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026. The woman was treated for her injury. The shooter was arrested three days later, outside an address in Terang, with the assistance of the Special Operations Group. Detectives seized ammunition and a taser from the property. The man was later charged with: •Intentionally and recklessly causing injury •Reckless conduct endangering serious injury •Using a firearm contrary to a firearm prohibition order •Being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm •Possessing ammunition and a prohibited weapon •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail •Driving whilst disqualified He was remanded to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates' Court on 15 May. The shooter and the victim are known to each other. | |
19 January 2026 Flinders Street, Melbourne CBD 20 year-old Aboriginal man from Reservoir | Man breaks down in court after allegedly stabbing homeless Good Samaritan who tried to help woman during altercationThe alleged offender, a 20 year-old Aboriginal man from Reservoir, became involved in an altercation with a young female around 11pm on a Monday night outside UNO Pizza and Grill on Flinders Street in Melbourne CBD. A 20 year-old homeless man heard the altercation and yelled "Oi!", before jumping onto the offender's back and trying to push him away from the girl. The two men then became involved in an altercation, with the offender eventually producing a knife and stabbing the homeless Good Samaritan in the back, causing a laceration up to 4cm deep. The victim was taken to hospital with a collapsed lung. CCTV captured the incident, along with footage of the alleged offender fleeing the scene and boarding a tram. Passengers called police, reporting a man acting strange with blood on his shirt. The man was arrested on a tram Fitzroy and later charged with the following offences: •Intentionally causing serious injury •Assault with weapon •Unlawful assault •Possessing a controlled weapon •Committing indictable offence whilst on bail •Stating a false name when requested •Contravening bail conditions The alleged offender appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on the following day. The Magistrate acknowledged that he was "extremely distressed" and in a "fragile" state in the courtroom, at one point asking if he was okay to proceed. The man was seen hyperventilating, rocking back and forth with tears in his eyes, blocking his ears with his hands and crossing his fingers. He begged the Magistrate, "please don't send me to jail," sobbing throughout the hearing. He also said "Please your honour please … I didn't do it" … "This isn't me. This isn't me.", etc. The alleged offender was on bail at the time of the offence, required to follow a strict curfew and report to police on Saturday and Sunday. The offender's lawyer again applied for bail, arguing that his Aboriginality and links to the community were important to him and also said he had expressed suicidal ideation due to being in custody. "He's a person who's at the highest of risk in the custodial setting," she said. Police argued the accused man would present too high of a risk to the community if granted bail, pointing out that he had allegedly broken his bail on Monday night. They also said he had "no self control" and "no consideration for his victims". The Magistrate expressed sympathy for the offender, but denied the application for bail, saying "I'm deeply mindful you're 20 years old, very vulnerable Aboriginal young man." … "The evidence against you that you stabbed this man appears to be very strong," … "Evidence persuades me you are out of control. You are a serious threat to the community." The offender wept, saying, "I can't … I can't … I can't", collapsing as security carried him out of court. The man's cries could be heard even after he left the courtroom. | |
19 January 2026 Brooklyn 32 year-old Eltham man | Charges laid for $663k construction industry blackmailDetectives from Taskforce Hawk have further charged a man as part of an investigation into blackmail. A 32-year-old Eltham man was arrested in Heidelberg this afternoon. He has since been charged with two counts of contravening a conduct condition of bail. The man was initially charged on 12 February with blackmail, and failure to comply withdirection to assist (failing to provide a PIN code to police). The charges relate to allegations of blackmail committed at a business in Brooklyn on 19 January 2026, when a demand was made for the victim to pay $663,000. Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry, and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025. This was in response to a number of fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour. Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry. It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to outlaw motorcycle gangs. Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities. The investigation remains ongoing. | |
16-17 January 2026 Port Melbourne, Nunawading, Reservoir, Richmond An 18 year-old Albert Park man, and three teenage boys | Four teenagers charged after spate of gym thefts across MelbourneFour brazen teens have been charged over a theft spree targeting gym-goers at Anytime Fitness. Police say the spree began when the teens allegedly stole a set of car keys from a Port Melbourne gym on a Friday. They had allegedly stolen a member's pass, which they used to sneak in. CCTV footage shows one of the youths rummaging through lockers before making away with a set of car keys. The gym owner became aware of the suspicious behaviour and chased the teens, but they managed to flee the scene in a separate (allegedly stolen) vehicle. Later that day, the teens struck again, this time successfully stealing a gold Subaru Liberty from a gym in Nunawading. The Subaru Liberty was spotted by police early on Saturday morning travelling at high speeds through Reservoir and was followed to Richmond. Police then made a dramatic attempt to intercept the car in a carpark, but it fled the scene at speed, crashing through a boom gate. The vehicle was dumped a short time later near the intersection of Lennox Street and Rowena Parade. Officers moved in and arrested the four occupants. The driver, an 18-year-old Albert Park man, was charged with: •Reckless conduct endangering serious injury •Driving in a dangerous manner •Unlicensed driving •Burglary •Theft •Handling stolen goods •Theft of a motor vehicle •Various bail offences He was refused bail and was required to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 27 January 2026. The three teenage boys were also charged and bailed to appear before a children's court at a later date. | |
15-16 January 2026 Mildura Six teenagers from Mildura | Six Mildura teens go on crime spreeOn 16 January 2026, police in Mildura arrested six teenagers in connection with the following incidents: •Multiple offenders attended a home on Ellswood Crescent around 3am on 15 January. They tried to gain access through the windows, but were disturbed by an occupant of the home and fled. •The following night, multiple offenders attended a home on Beasy Court around 2:30am. They attempted to open two cars parked in the open garage, then attempted to open a front door and a window. An occupant of the home awoke to the noise and disturbed the offenders, causing them to flee. •An hour later, the offenders attended a home on Walnut Avenue and gained access to a unit, stealing three sets of car keys, a wallet and $1k in cash, before taking off in the victim's Didge RAM, valued at around $130k. •Other theft and property-related offences overnight. The alleged offenders are: •A 13-year-old boy, charged with 14 offences including aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle and theft (from a shop). •A 15-year-old boy, charged with aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated home invasion, home invasion and theft of motor vehicle. •A 13-year-old boy, charged with attempted aggravated home invasion and bail offences. •A 15-year-old boy, charged with attempted aggravated home invasion. •A 15-year-old girl, cautioned for theft of motor vehicle. •A 19-year-old Mildura man, charged with four counts of theft of motor vehicle. Most or all of the alleged offenders were granted bail. | |
07 January 2026 Altona 50 year-old West Footscray man, 47 year-old St Albans man | Copper theft in AltonaPolice were called to reports of a theft in progress at a demolition site on Modal Place about 9.20pm. Two vehicles - a Jeep utility and white Toyota Hiace van - were spotted by responding officers leaving the scene. The van was followed to Freya Drive in Williams Landing, where it was dumped. The two alleged occupants fled on foot but were arrested nearby. A 50-year-old West Footscray man was charged with theft, trespass, handling stolen goods and possessing methylamphetamine. A 47-year-old St Albans man was charged with theft, trespass, handling stolen goods and committing an indictable offence while on bail. Both men were bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 6 August. Police located stolen copper wiring and methamphetamine in the vehicle. | |
4 January 2026 Drummond Street, Carlton 54 year-old Princes Hill man | Sooshi Mango comedy burglar charged with more than 50 offencesA 54 year-old man forced his way into the office of Italian comedy trio Sooshi Mango on Drummond Street, Carlton, around 7pm on a Sunday. The morning after the burglary, the comedy group, consisting of brothers Carlo and Joe Salantiri and Andrew Manfre, took matters into their own hands, posting CCTV footage of the burglary on their official Instagram page and appealing to the public to help identify the maskless man. The footage shows a man force his way into the office, smashing a glass door, before proceeding to rummage through drawers. He then flees the scene, seemingly empty-handed. "We are Italians; we don't leave cash in obvious places.", Manfre later explained. The office building is nearby to restaurant Johnny, Vince & Sam's, which Sooshi Mango opened in 2023. Sooshi Mango have more than 3 million followers on Instagram thanks to their popular comedy skits, which largely make fun of their Italian roots and other ethnic stereotypes. Sooshi Mango later lashed out at the Victorian government, calling for tougher crime laws, commenting "These rats think they can go around stealing from hard-working, honest people and get away with it.", "If Victoria had stricter laws, these filthy, rotten leeches wouldn't have the confidence to go around breaking into places in broad daylight." and "Harsher penalties will be very welcomed. I think we need to get on top of it. (Crime is) obviously out of control." Salanitri also lashed out at the government for failing to tackle the cost of living crisis after a woman stole his Coles delivery just over three weeks prior, in December. A week after the burglary, Sooshi Mango took their search for justice to the next level, posting a photo of themselves wearing newly printed "MISSING ROBBER" t-shirts, showing the burglar's face. "Guys, the cops know the guy who broke our door when he tried to rob our office. They have been to his house but he isn't anywhere to be found," they wrote on Instagram. "We are really worried about his wellbeing and safety. Come home robber. You are loved." Shortly after that stunt, on 12 January, the suspect was arrested and charged with more than 50 offences, including: •Aggravated burglary •Burglary •Theft •Obtaining property by deception •Criminal damage •Handling stolen goods •Attempted theft •Entering private property without authority or excuse •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail The offences relate to the following incidents: •Burglaries in Kensington on 25 November and 7 December •Several burglaries, thefts and attempted thefts in Fitzroy North and Princes Hill on 28 December •The Sooshi Mango burglary in Carlton on 4 January He was also processed for three outstanding warrants for failing to attend on bail. |
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December 2025 Cobram 84 year-old man | 84 year-old family violenceAn 84 year-old man allegedly committed a family violence-related aggravated burglary, made threats to kill and absconded from bail in Queensland. The man had been evading police for several weeks before being tracked down and arrested on warrant in Cobram. | |
25-26 December 2025 Richmond, Deer Park, Ravenhall, St Albans 49 year-old Altona Meadows man | Grinch charged over Christmas crime spreeA 49 year-old Altona Meadows man unleashed a one-man crime spree across Melbourne over Christmas. Police allege he broke into a design studio in Richmond about 7pm on Christmas Day, then stole a vehicle from a furniture business in the same suburb a short time later. The man drove to the city's northwest early on Boxing Day, breaking into a restaurant in Deer Park about 5:45am, then a furniture business and two restaurants in Ravenhall. He was arrested at a pub in St Albans at 1pm on Boxing Day. The stolen vehicle was found in the car park and police seized items from it they say were stolen in the burglaries. The man was charged with a number of offences, including: •Burglary (x6) •Attempted burglary (x2) •Theft (x6) •Criminal damage (x8) •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x8) •Unlicenced driving •Going equipped to steal •Dealing with proceeds of crime | |
25 December 2025 Footscray John Setka, former Victorian CFMEU leader | Former CFMEU leader John Setka charged again, for harassment whilst on bailPolice have arrested former Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka for a second time, charging him with allegedly sending a harassing message to a CFMEU administration staff member on Christmas Day 2025. Mr Setka, 61, was arrested in Footscray and charged with: •Using a carriage service to harass •Committing an indictable offence while on bail He was initially arrested on 12 November 2025 and charged with seven counts of using a telecom communications device to menace, harass and offend. He was further charged on 5 December with two counts of using a telecom communications device to offend. He has been bailed again to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 June 2026. The December charges followed an investigation into threatening and harassing emails Mr Setka allegedly sent to CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC. Investigators allege Mr Setka sent the emails in response to the administrator’s legal notice to produce material, and a follow-up letter a day later, in relation to a probe into a union "slush" fund known as the Building Industry 2000 fund. After Mr Setka resigned in 2024 amid allegations the union had been infiltrated by organised crime figures and outlaw bikies, the Albanese government put the union’s construction division into administration. | |
December 2025 A shopping centre 25 year-old man and a 24 year-old man | Hammer attackA 24-year-old man struck a 25-year-old man with a stolen hammer, causing a minor laceration. The older man then took hold of the hammer, chasing the other man and punching him. The 24-year-old was charged with shop theft, affray and assault with a weapon. The 25-year-old was charged with affray, assault with a weapon and committing an indictable offence on bail. | |
December 2025 A shopping centre 20 year-old woman and a 38 year-old man | Couple on drugs steals $800 of clothingA 20-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man stole $800 of streetwear. The woman was charged with shoptheft, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence on bail. The man was charged with shoptheft and breaching a court order. | |
22 December 2025 South Melbourne A 37 year-old woman and a 29 year-old man, both from South Melbourne | Man and woman caught with illegal firearms and drugsDetectives charged a man and a woman as part of an investigation into alleged drugs and firearms trafficking in South Melbourne. A warrant was executed at a residential property on Gladstone Street about 9.20am on Monday, 22 December. Police seized: •A Winchester Model 94 Big Bore rifle stolen from an address in Macclesfield in 2023 •Four gel blaster revolvers •A gel blaster semi-automatic pistol •Two suppressors (silencers) •Various firearm parts •Cartridge ammunition in various calibres •Methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol, a white powder substance, other various steroids and pharmaceuticals •Fraudulent identities and bank cards Both were charged with various offences, including possessing unregistered firearms, trafficking commercial quantities of drugs, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. Both were out on bail at the time. | |
12 December 2025 Mornington 35 year-old white male | Crazed driver repeatedly rams police car to evade arrestPolice were called to a unit complex in Mornington about 7.40pm on a Friday, after reports of a suspicious person loitering around the home. They parked in the driveway and exited their vehicle. A stolen black Toyota Landcruiser emerged from the back of the property. Dramatic CCTV footage captured the Toyota then accelerating to slam into the police car. It then backed up, and repeated the manoeuvre over and over again, forcefully ramming the police car around a dozen times over a period of two minutes, in an attempt to escape. Both vehicles and the property were severely damaged, with the police car rotating 90 degrees and becoming wedged in the driveway. The crazed driver of the Toyota, wearing nothing but shorts and socks, then got out of the car, frantically hopped across the roof of the police car, leaped into the driveway and stumbled, before sprinting off down the street to evade arrest. The police yelled at him to get out of the car and give himself up, not realising he was already gone. Police patrolled the area with dogs for seven hours, but could not locate the man. Shortly after this incident, police revealed that the key suspect was wanted on five warrants for burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, and contravening bail and a court order. Update: The offender was arrested after police received a report of a man passed out in a suspicious vehicle in Hallam on 4 January. The man woke up and allegedly attempted to evade police, mounting a curb and crashing into a bin. The man exited the vehicle from the passenger door and ran before he allegedly attempted to carjack a passing vehicle unsuccessfully and ran into bushland. Police, with assistance from the Dog Squad, tracked the man and located him hiding in the bush. He was taken into custody. The man was then charged with an array of offences including: * Robbery * Theft of motor vehicle (x4) * Burglary (x8) * Attempted burglary (x5) * Attempted theft of motor vehicle * Theft from motor vehicle * Assaulting police (x2) * Reckless conduct causing serious injury (x2) * Reckless conduct endangering life (x2) * Driving in a dangerous manner * Damaging an emergency vehicle * Criminal damage (x3) * Unlicenced driving * Failing to appear on bail | |
08 December 2025 Canadian, Redan, Ballarat, Wendouree 35 year-old Sebastopol man | Police ram speeding maniac in stolen carPolice tracked and chased a 35 year-old Sebastopol man in a stolen white Toyota Prado. With the assistance of the Air Wing, police tracked the vehicle as it allegedly drove erratically and dangerously causing significant risk to the public across suburbs including Redan, Ballarat and Wendouree. They eventually brought the vehicle to a stop by ramming it, to prevent any further serious risk to the community. The driver was arrested and charged with the following offences: * Recklessly exposing an emergency services worker (x7) * Theft of a motor vehicle * Dangerous driving whilst being pursued * Reckless conduct endangering serious injury * Possessing methyl-amphetamine * Failing to answer bail * Unlicensed driving and other related charges | |
08 December 2025 Burwood A 26 year-old Burwood man and a 17-year old girl | Man and girl stab acquaintanceA 26-year old man and a 17-year old girl confronted the victim - also a 26 year-old Burwood man - outside a fast food outlet on Burwood Road just before 10pm. They set upon him, spraying him with a fire extinguisher, then seriously assaulting and stabbing him, then stealing his jacket and bag. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The three persons were all known to each other. The 26-year-old Burwood man was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, assault with a weapon, assault in company, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. The 17-year-old girl was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, assault with a weapon, assault in company and handling stolen goods. | |
5 December 2025 South Melbourne 45 year-old St Kilda man | Man steals from six shopsA 45 year-old St Kilda man was arrested over a spate of alleged shop thefts in South Melbourne. He was charged with six counts of stealing from a shop, and two counts of committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. Following this arrest,the man was again bailed, to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 May 2026. | |
November Carrum Downs 45 year-old man | Man traffics ice in Carrum DownsA 45-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trafficking methylamphetamine in the Carrum Downs area. He was charged with trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence, and committing indictable offence whilst on bail. There is a warrant for his arrest after he allegedly failed to appear in court. | |
27 November 2025 Whittington (Geelong) 29 year-old Whittington (Geelong) man | Bag of guns found in streetPolice investigated after a bag containing firearms was discovered in a street in Whittington last week. They executed a search warrant at an address in Alouette Court and arrested a 29 year-old man. They later charged the man with 32 offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, and failing to answer bail. | |
18-19 November 2025 Bayswater, Ashwood, Burwood, Hawthorn, Oakleigh 18 year-old male from Burnside Heights, 16 year-old male from Knox | Teenagers steal car and violently rob five convenience and cigarette shopsTwo teenage males engaged in a string of violent robberies across Melbourne's eastern suburbs over a two day period. They are alleged to have hit five convenience and cigarette stores, targeting cigarettes and vapes. The following day, police arrested the 18 year-old male in Burnside Heights, charging him the following 16 offences: * Theft (x4) * Attempted burglary (x2) * Criminal damage (x2) * Robbery (x3) * Common law assault (x2) * Recklessly causing injury * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail * Contravening a condition of bail The next day, police attended an address in the Knox area, where they arrested a 16 year-old male and charged him with the following 18 offences: * Theft (x5) * Attempted burglary (x2) * Criminal damage (x2) * Robbery (x3) * Common law assault (x2) * Recklessly causing injury * Theft of motor vehicle * Failing to comply with a direction to assist * Handling stolen goods It is alleged the pair utilised an Isuzu utility stolen from a Dandenong address on 13 November. | |
17 November 2025 Ascot Vale A man | Man smahes into home with sledgehammer as woman and children sleep insideA man used a sledgehammer to try to smash his way through the front door of an Ascot Vale home, while a woman and three children slept inside. Police were called to the scene and arrested the man, seizing a sledgehammer, an iron bar and an imitation firearm wrapped in a black sheet. The man was charged with aggravated burglary with an offensive weapon, going equipped to steal and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. | |
15 November 2025 Queen St, Melbourne CBD 29 year-old Melton South woman | Crazy woman randomly attacks Chinese international students in CBDA 29 year-old woman from Melton South randomly attacked another woman on Queen St around 3:40pm, striking her in the upper body with an object. She then continued along Queen St and randomly attacked another woman, striking her in the upper body with the same object. The first victim, a 22-year-old woman from the Melbourne area, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The second victim, a 23-year-old woman also from the Melbourne area, was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman has been charged with recklessly causing injury, aggravated assault of a female, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and possessing methylamphetamine. | |
14 November 2025 Shepparton 32 year-old Mooroopna man | Man steals car with sleeping toddler insideDetectives have charged a man after he allegedly stole a car with a sleeping toddler inside it last week. It is alleged the man stole the vehicle from a supermarket carpark on Maude Street just before 2pm on 14 November. When he realised a 15-month-old boy was inside, he allegedly removed the child and left him in a box in the carpark. The mother returned and located the toddler. The man allegedly fled in the red Volkswagen, worth $31,500, which was located in Mooroopna (a town 5km west of Shepparton) the following day. Police arrested the 32-year-old Mooroopna man in central Shepparton one week later. He allegedly suffered a back injury during the arrest. He has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endanger serious injury and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. Detectives also charged the man with a number of offences in an unrelated incident in the Shepparton and Barmah areas on 17 November. Charges include theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police and aggravated reckless exposure of police officer to risk by driving. | |
14 November 2025 Clarendon St, South Melbourne 22 year-old South Melbourne man | Stabbing in South MelbourneA 22 year-old South Melbourne man stabbed a 41 year-old South Melbourne man on Clarendon St in South Melbourne around 10pm on Friday night. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The two men were known to each other. Police arrested and charged the 22 year-old man with intentionally causing serious injury, breaching bail, possessing cannabis, possessing a controlled weapon and committing an indictable offence while on bail. | |
04 November 2025 (Cup Day) Westfield Knox City Shopping Centre, Wantirna South 19 year-old Thornbury man | Security guard assaulted in laneway on cup dayThe man assaulted a 47 year-old security guard in a laneway around 12:45pm, before taking off on foot through the shopping centre. The victim was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries, and was still recovering at home over one week later. Police found the man asleep in a stolen car a week later and arrested him. He was charged with 12 offences, including intentionally causing injury, assault with a weapon, committing an indictable offence while on bail, possessing stolen goods, and attempted burglary. | |
03 November 2025 Pakenham 16 year-old Frankston male, 14 year-old Kingston male, 16 year-old Geelong female | Teen trio menace, slash and steal from man and boyA trio of teens in a Range Rover stolen from Elwood overnight pulled up beside a 19 year-old man and a 16 year-old boy from Lang Lang around 9am on a quiet residential street in Pakenham. The trio demanded items, and when the 19 year-old victim refused, he was cornered on a porch, assaulted and slashed with a knife. The 16 year-old victim pushed one of the offenders away, and the pair fled towards a nearby railway station. The girl picked up one of the victim's bags, and the trio fled in the Range Rover, stopping in Cranbourne North 15 minutes later to steal petrol from a service station. The 19 year-old victim was transported to hospital. All three offenders were arrested within one week of the incident. The 16 year-old Frankston male was charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods; he was bailed to appear at a children's court on a later date. The 14 year-old Kingston male was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and other assault offences. The 16 year-old Geelong female was charged with robbery, theft, theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, unlawful assault, stealing from a shop, and was bailed to appear at a children's court on a later date. | |
27 October 2025 Panmure, Terang, Camperdown, Larpent, Winchelsea 39 year-old Warrnambool man | Erratic driver in stolen car arrested after running out of fuelPolice chased a man driving erratically in a stolen Ford Falcon on the Princes Highway. The man drove at high speeds, narrowly missed other vehicles and drove on the wrong side of the road. He was eventually arrested after his car ran out of fuel. | |
26 October 2025 Melbourne CBD 36 year-old man of no fixed address | Man carjacks taxi and crashesA 36 year-old taxi passenger threatened his driver around 9:40pm. The driver managed to get out of the vehicle and was not physically injured. The man fled in the taxi and collided with another car, causing it to career into other vehicles and knock over a traffic light. The man got out of the taxi and attempted to run from the scene, but was restrained by members of the public and an off-duty police officer. He was charged with carjacking, theft of a motor vehicle, driving in a dangerous manner and other offences. | |
24 October 2025 Broadmeadows 19 year-old Westmeadows man, 18 year-old Meadow Heights man, 18 year-old Fawkner man | Teen stabbed in Broadmeadows gang brawlEmergency services were called to Central Grove, Broadmeadows after a boy was found with a stab wound around 5pm. It is alleged he was injured as a result of a brawl between two groups on Stanhope Street, moments earlier. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. On 6 November 2025, police made the following arrests and charges: •The 19 year-old Westmeadows man was arrested and charged with affray, possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing firearm ammunition without a licence and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. •The 18 year-old Meadow Heights man was arrested and charged with affray and possessing a controlled weapon without excuse. •The Fawkner man was arrested and charged with affray. | |
22 October 2025 Morwell 27 year-old Morwell man | Man stabbed in Morwell homeA 31 year-old Morwell man was stabbed inside a property on McMillan Street around 10:30pm. He was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 27 year-old alleged offender was taken into custody and has been charged. The parties are believed to have been known to each other. | |
19 October 2025 Melbourne CBD 24 year-old Corio man | Man throws rocks at police during counter-rallyOn Sunday 19 October 2025, 800+ people attended a “March for Australia” rally in Melbourne CBD. The protesters gathered on the steps of Parliament House, where speeches were given, before a march to Flinders Street Station and back. The rally’s focus was opposition to “mass migration”. A counter-rally was organised in response to the March for Australia rally. It has been described as a coalition of anti-racism/pro-immigration groups (e.g. Campaign Against Racism and Fascism) and included the slogan “No white Australia. Counter the far right.” Police alleged that the counter protest group hurled rocks, glass bottles and rotten fruit at police. Two police officers were injured and taken to hospital on the day. A female Sergeant aged in her early 40s received a serious hand injury and a male Senior Constable aged in his 30s received a serious laceration to his leg which required stitches. The female Sergeant will require ongoing rehabilitation to strengthen and regain movement in her hand, impacting her operational capacity at work and her everyday life. Other officers were allegedly struck by projectiles with such force that their protective shields were cracked. A wand used by police to detect weapons was also stolen on the day. Weeks later, police arrested a 24 year-old Corio man who had been seen throwing a rock at a Senior Constable. The man was out on bail at the time. He was charged with reckless conduct endangering person, assaulting police, discharging a missile, behaving in a disorderly manner and failing to answer bail. Following his arrest, he was again bailed, to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 November. Police later released images of eight other persons of interest, the majority wearing masks and hoods. | |
19 October 2025 Hallam, Springvale, Noble Park, Dandenong 33 year-old Doveton man, 34 year-old Hampton Park man, 60 year-old Dandenong North man | Men with laser-printed handgun steal cars and toolsThree men, in possession of a laser-printed handgun, stole cars and gardening tools. | |
19 October 2025 Footscray 51 year-old Seddon woman | Woman on ice smashes front windo of houseA woman in possession of methylamphetamine smashed a front window of a house, intending to enter. | |
13 October 2025 Dallas, Meadow Heights Two 30 year-old men, from Dallas and Meadow Heights | Police seize ice and ammo after car chaseCar chase through Melbourne's northern suburbs, with police seizing methylamphetamine and ammunition. | |
13 October 2025 Craigieburn 28 year-old Wallan man | Two men stabbed in Craigeburn shopping centre brawlDuring a brawl between four men outside a shopping centre, one man produced a knife and stabbed two of the other men, who were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. | |
10 October 2025 Broadmeadows Central shopping centre An 18 year-old man from Mill Park (**on bail at the time**), and members of two local gangs | Machete brawl between rival teen gangs in Broadmeadows CentralTwo rival gangs of young men became involved in an altercation outside Broadmeadows Central shopping centre around 7:20pm on a Friday night. Police were called, but the altercation turned into a machete brawl and spilled into the shopping centre, which was transformed into a battleground. Vision captured by shoppers shows several young men, wearing black jackets, track pants and balaclavas, taking swipes at each other with machetes – essentially engaged in a swordfight. Some shoppers said they were left terrified by the incident and had to lock themselves inside a store with staff as people clashed with bladed weapons outside. The scenes were described as "like a movie" as screams rang out from inside locked stores. The two groups fled the scene in a silver Honda and a white Mazda before police arrived at the scene; no arrests were made on the day. There was recently-installed machete bin, from the Victorian government, 400m from the shopping centre. Some of the gang members later shared footage of the incident from their mobile phones. On 28 October, police arrested an 18 year-old man from Mill Park and charged him with: •Affray (x2) •Possessing a prohibited weapon •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail (x2) •Publishing material about the commission of a relevant offence (x2) Police also arrested a 17 year-old boy from the Banyule area, and charged him with: •Affray •Possessing a prohibited weapon •Possessing an imitation firearm •Theft of a motor vehicle •Publishing material about the commission of a relevant offence •Incitement •Failing to comply with directions •Cannabis possession This boy was bailed to appear at a children's court at a later date. | |
02 Oct 2025 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne CBD 32 year-old female | Taiwanese sushi chef stabbed on way to work36 year-old Taiwanese female sushi chef Wan Lai randomly stabbed in lung on way to work. | |
09 and 31 August 2025 Melbourne CBD A 32 year-old prominent male neo-Nazi – the leader of the National Socialist Network | Prominent neo-Nazi leader arrested in relation to various assaultsThis incident concerns a prominent neo-Nazi – the leader of the National Socialist Network. On 02 September 2025, he was arrested outside the Magistrates' Court of Victoria at Melbourne and charged with the following 25 offences, alleged to have occurred on 09 and 31 August 2025: •Committing an indictable offence (affray) whilst on bail (x2) •Common law assault (x5) •Committing violent disorder •Affray •Aggravated assault (x9), being 7 counts by kicking and 2 counts with a weapon •Discharging a missile (x5) •Wilful damage of property •Contravening a conduct condition of bail The 09 August incident Around 12:30am on Saturday 9 August 2025, a group of approximately 200 members of the Network, wearing black clothing and black face coverings, commenced a march through Melbourne's CBD. It is alleged the group were chanting slogans and carrying banners with white supremacist, anti-immigration and neo-Nazi messaging, including a banner that read "white man fight back". The offender, at the head of the protesting group, was the only person not wearing a face covering. At approximately 12:45am, Lachlan Hawkins approached the group as they marched through the Bourke Street Mall. Hawkins stood in front of the offender and spat on the ground in his direction. It is alleged that the offender immediately retaliated by raising his fists in a fighting stance, pivoting to face Hawkins and lunging in his direction. Hawkins punched the offender in the head with his fist, before the pair traded blows. After a brief exchange, it is alleged that the offender overpowered Hawkins, forcing him to hunch over and cover his head for protection. A witness attempted to intervene and pull Hawkins from the altercation, but was tackled to the ground by several members of the Network. Several more members of the Network joined the melee and knocked Hawkins to the ground. It is alleged that they then kicked Hawkins in the head several times, leaving him with cuts and abrasions to his face. As a result of the incident, which was captured by CCTV cameras, Hawkins was conveyed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment. The offender was ushered away by others after his altercation with Hawkins. The 31 August incident On Sunday 31 August 2025, a number of planned protests were held throughout Melbourne's CBD, with the stated objective of voicing opposition to the government's immigration policies. At the same time and location, a counter-protest took place voicing opposition to the protesters' views. A group representing the Network attended, led by the offender. He delivered a speech from the steps of Parliament on Spring Street expressing the views of the Network on immigration. After a majority of the planned protest groups had dispersed, the Network group attended a lawful encampment of First Nations people on a site known as Camp Sovereignty, located near King's Domain. The offender is alleged to have led the Network group, consisting of approximately 30 men, dressed in black. It is alleged that the offender turned to the Network group and instructed them to run towards Camp Sovereignty. The group allegedly charged towards the camp, kicking and striking at signage. Camp Sovereignty occupants attempted to prevent damage to the signage and protect their encampment. During the initial conflict, it is alleged that Network group members attacked at least 2 Camp Sovereignty occupants. One Camp Sovereignty occupant is alleged to have been kicked by a Network member while being held down by 2 other members. Another occupant is alleged to have been attacked with a pole, and to have been kicked and punched by another 2 Network members. An observer saw this initial conflict and attempted to confront a Network member. The Network member threw the observer to the ground and punched her several times to the face and body. The victim of this alleged assault suffered a nasal facture. Another victim of the initial altercation sustained injuries that required 7 staples in her scalp. Later in the confrontation, as the 2 groups faced each other (there may have been others involved), it is alleged that there were a number of violent outbursts directed at the Camp Sovereignty occupants from Network members. A Camp Sovereignty occupant is alleged to have been kicked by 2 members, and another occupant to have been struck in the head with a flagpole. It is alleged that, during one of these outbursts, the offender punched a Camp Sovereignty occupant, making contact with the occupant's collarbone. At the conclusion of the confrontation, with both groups standing their ground, it is alleged that 5 Network members discharged "missiles" at the Camp Sovereignty group. It is further alleged that the offender kicked a Camp Sovereignty occupant. At least 3 Camp Sovereignty occupants are said to have suffered physical injuries as a result of the alleged attack. 14 co-accused were also charged with offences arising from the events at Camp Sovereignty, each of whom were granted bail. The offender was charged for both the assaults he is alleged to have committed directly, and as the principal offender on the basis of statutory complicity for assaults alleged to have been committed by his co-accused. The prosecution's case against the offender and his co-offenders relies, among other things, upon video footage captured at the scene of the confrontation at Camp Sovereignty and telecommunications location data to allegedly confirm the identity of those who have been charged. The prosecution alleges the Network members were the first to engage. The offender alleged the confrontation was a consequence of Camp Sovereignty having been used as a staging ground, or similar, for antagonists to launch attacks on members of the Network, or their associates, throughout the day. At the time of these alleged August offences, the offender was already out on bail for 2 counts of intimidating a police officer and 2 counts of contravening a personal safety intervention order. (He was later convicted and sentenced in respect of those charges, on 12 September 2025). The offender has a criminal history of similar, violent offences. The offender again successfully applied for bail in respect of the alleged August offences. In his application, he described the National Socialist Network as "a right-wing political organisation advocating, among other things, for a return to the white Australia policy." The prosecution described it as "an anti-immigration political organisation that is associated with ideologies including white supremacy and neo-Nazism", and submitted that it has a "documented history of hate crimes and violence" for which the offender has been responsible for inciting and directing its members to commit. The offender is 32 years old, was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and came to Australia with his family in 1996. He is in a long-term relationship with his fiancée, with whom he has two young children. His role as a leader of the Network is part time, and he receives remuneration of about $1,000 per fortnight for it. He served in the Australian Defence Force between 2012 and 2014. From 2014 to 2016 he attended Swinburne University. He has worked various jobs, including in security services, hospitality, residential care, labouring and roof plumbing. A previous employer described him as "reliable, punctual and a dedicated worker who performed his tasks to a high standard". | |
26 May 2025 Dandenong 19 year-old Hampton Park man, 19 year-old Rowville man, 52 year-old Rowville man | Men shoot up BMW with people isideSeveral gunshots were fired at a stolen grey BMW, injuring at least one of the occupants, a 19 year-old Clayton South man. | |
25 May 2025 Northland Shopping Centre, Preston Eight teenage males | Teen machete brawl in NorthlandMachete brawl between eight teenage members of rival gangs. | |
3-10 April 2025 Brandon Park, Glen Waverley A 31 year-old homeless drug addict refugee from Myanmar/Thailand | Homeless drug addict refugee commits four armed robberies in a weekOver the course of one week, the offender committed four armed robberies of retail stores in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. On 3 April 2025, he walked into Liquorland Brandon Park, grabbed four bottles of Jack Daniels and Jim Beam bourbon, worth a total value of $308, and walked out, threatening staff with a slingshot on the way. The next day, he walked into Chemist Warehouse Glen Waverley in a hoodie, took five bottles of perfume worth a total of $239.95 and walked out. A staff member followed him out, but he ran off. On 8 April, he walked into the same Chemist Warehouse, wearing a hoodie and a surgical face mask, and holding a slingshot. He took $99.95 worth of perfumes and walked out. This time, the same staff member confronted him, put her hand out and said "No". He threatened her with the slingshot, and she stepped aside. On 10 April, the offender again walked into the same Chemist Warehouse wearing a hoodie and a surgical mask. He was confronted by a staff member, who he threatened with a slingshot, before grabbing two fragrances with a total value of $59.98. On the way out, he was again confronted, and again threatened the staff member with his slingshot. The goods stolen by the offender over the course of the week had a total value of $707.88. At the time of these offences, he was already out on bail for other offences. All four incidents were captured on CCTV. The offender was arrested one week later. In interview, he admitted to having traded the stolen goods for drugs (including heroin). He also said he didn't consider the slingshot to be a weapon, and noted that in Thailand, they are used to hunt birds. The offender was born in Myanmar, spent most of his childhood in Thailand and moved to Australia with his mother in 2016, arriving as a refugee. He had attained permanent residency, but not yet citizenship. He did not speak English, and was illiterate in his native language, Burmese. He had been a drug user since childhood, and had been injecting methamphetamine and heroin for years. His criminal record dates back to 2018, when he was imprisoned for three months for an assault and failure to answer bail. After that, he received further brief custodial sentences for theft from shops. The offender pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to imprisonment for a total of 2 years and 9 months, being eligible for parole after 20 months. | |
Mar and Apr 2025 Melbourne CBD, Essendon Four men, aged between 21 and 31 | Five men use stolen car to ram raid luxury stores, stealing $1.2m of goodsFive men used stolen car to "ram raid" luxury stores (Burberry, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and David Jones), stealing $1.2m worth of goods. | |
12 January 2025 St Kilda 15 year-old Alfredton male | Teen machete attack in St KildaThe teen approached a 39 year old St Albans man walking along Barkly St around 9:15pm, demanding his car keys, before chasing him and striking him in the head with a machete, then running off empty-handed. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. In the months prior, the teen committed other violent crimes and drove at speeds of up to 220km/h in a stolen car. | |
2018 - 2025 Geelong, Melbourne Young nurse from Geelong | Injured nurse descends into life of drugs and crimeThe woman was registered as a nurse in 2012, aged 20, and started working at University Hospital Geelong. Following a workplace injury in 2018, and allegations of workplace bullying, she began using illicit drugs to self-manage; by mid-2019, her drug use had escalated, and she became involved in drug trafficking and related criminal activity. On 18 June 2019, the woman was found passed out in a stolen car in Bell Post Hill, Geelong. Police found 23g of methylamphetamine, 7.7g of heroin, GHB and $6k in cash, along with digital scales and resealable bags. She was released on bail. The woman pleaded guilty to various offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and drug trafficking, and received a 6-month Community Corrections Order (CCO). The woman failed to notify the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, as required. However, Victoria Police made notification, and her nursing registration was suspended on 21 August 2019. On 1 September 2020, whilst still suspended and subject to bail conditions, the woman was caught driving with a fake licence, methylamphetamine and $9k in cash. She was charged with various offences, including possessing drugs, possessing a false document and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. She was convicted and sentenced to 3 days’ imprisonment (time already served) and a 15-month CCO with conditions for drug treatment and behaviour programs. The woman moved to Melbourne, and in November 2020, police raided her Queens Road apartment, finding 7.9g of methylamphetamine, $44k in cash, $4k in counterfeit $100 notes, an electric taser and stolen ID cards. She was granted bail pending court proceedings, with strict conditions. On 13 May 2022, she pleaded guilty to various offences in the County Court of Victoria. She was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month CCO, with drug and mental health treatment conditions, plus a $500 fine for the counterfeit money. In the years that followed, the woman continued to breach bail and CCO conditions, traffic drugs and commit related offences. Following referrals from the Nursing Board, VCAT made orders on 5 November 2025 reprimanding the woman, cancelling her registration as a nurse and disqualifying her from reapplying for 3 years. | |
29 October 2023 Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo 44 year-old Junortoun man | Man savagely beats and stabs ex-girlfriend to death in front of her young daughtersA man broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend, Filipino mother of four Analyn Osias, by breaking a window and ripping a security door off its hinges, before dragging her from bed, savagely beating her with his fists, then stabbing her to death. He had an active Family Violence Intervention Order against him and was on bail. The victim's two primary school-aged daughters witnessed the attack and were with their mother when emergency services arrived. He received a 24-and-a-half year jail sentence (with a non-parole period of 19 years). | |
01 September 2023 Batman Park in Melbourne CBD 44 year-old Bendigo man | Indigenous man sexually assaults intellectually disabled blind girlThe offender, a 44 year old Indigenous Bendigo man, met a 16 year-old girl at Bendigo Train Station. The girl had an intellectual disability, required a support dog and lived in assisted care in Bendigo. They exchanged phone numbers, commenced texting and arranged to meet at the Southern Cross Station Hungry Jacks the following week. After meeting, the pair walked to Batman Park and sat down together on a blanket. He kissed her on the cheek without warning. He said he wanted to have a baby with her and asked her to go to the toilet for sex, but she declined. He put a blanket over her head and asked her for sex, then proceeded to touch her breasts, put his hands inside her pants and penetrate her vagina with his finger. Throughout this, the girl repeatedly said "No", asked him to stop and said that she was uncomfortable. She recalled that she was crying at the time of penetration and that her vagina was burning. He asked her to touch his penis but she refused. The victim later reported the incident to Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at Southern Cross Station. At the time of the incident, the offender was already on bail in relation to charges for assault and property damage. He also already had a lengthy criminal history, including theft, burglary, property damage, arson, drunk and disorderly conduct, assault, indecent assault and drug offences. In court, the offender denied the charges and claimed to be impotent. The girl described her suffering as a result of the incident, including depression, nightmares, struggling to get out of bed and fear of leaving home. The offender was found guilty by a jury, and senenced to 5 years' impriosnment, with a non-parole period of 2 years and 6 months. | |
26-31 July 2023 Tarneit, Caroline Springs, Manor Lakes, Weir Views Lucus Gun and Sam Kent, both 16 year-old males (both pseudonyms) | Teenage Sudanese "Original Gangster Killers" gang members go on violent two-day crime spree, using machetes and baseball bats to menace, steal and inflict grave injuryGun and Kent were both from South Sudanese families and affiliated with the “Original Gangster Killers” (OGK), a street gang based around the Taylors Lakes area. They were out on bail and parole for theft and violence offences. Across two evenings, wearing masks and accompanied by other young males, Gun and Kent carried out a fast moving series of robberies and assaults using a stolen Mazda, machetes and baseball bats. The first night began in Tarneit around 7:40 pm on 26 July 2023. Two men walking home from a Sikh temple were chased down at the corner of Frances Browne Way and Saint Lukes Road. Gun produced a baseball bat; Kent produced a machete. One victim’s phone was taken amid shouted demands for his password; when he refused, he was struck to the leg and head with the bat while the machete was brandished at close quarters, causing cuts to his hands as he tried to ward it off. Attention then turned to the second victim, who surrendered his phone, earbuds and watch under threats of stabbing and further blows. When he balked at providing banking credentials, he was slapped and struck in the knee. Roughly ten minutes later, a single pedestrian was surrounded after both offenders and a third male spilled from a dark sedan, again armed with a machete and bats. The victim handed over two phones but was held, menaced with the machete and repeatedly struck to the legs, body and face when he faltered over his passcodes. Passing motorists slowed but drove on as the group waved weapons and yelled; the victim’s lip was cut, his ear and leg were sore, and his hand was injured. Minutes after that, the pair entered a McDonald’s in balaclavas. Kent carried a baseball bat. Fixating on a young man at a self checkout, they demanded to know if he was a rival “Niner,” insisted he show his Instagram to prove it, and when he resisted a demand to “run your ones,” Kent struck him in the face with the bat. They left briefly to a dark Mazda 6 – later identified as stolen – then returned, grabbed the victim by the collar, threw him into the counter and, with a third male, punched, kicked and struck him with the bat while his companion screamed. As they left, one raised the bat toward her, telling her to “shut up.” The following afternoon, 27 July 2023, the group expanded. Around 5:00 pm at The Parade in Caroline Springs, a Mazda sedan disgorged about six masked teens armed with machetes and bats. They chased down a couple riding an e scooter toward the Leisure Centre, pulling the female from the scooter by her jacket or hair and surrounding the male. Demands for his scooter and phones were punctuated by blows with a bat to his knee and head and repeated insistence that he unlock his device and provide iCloud credentials. The offenders tried, and failed, to force the scooter into the Mazda before abandoning it at the kerb. An hour later, three boys—aged 13, 15 and 16—were set upon at the Baden Powell Reserve basketball courts in Tarneit during a sixteenth birthday game. Gun, Kent and others arrived in a dark sedan, hooded and armed. They demanded phones; a bystander who queried them was told to keep walking or be hurt. The 15 year old was struck repeatedly to the head and body, corralled, forced to retrieve his phone and open it while being hit, and stabbed in the buttock by a laughing assailant. The 16 year old had his phone smashed and shoes taken; when he tried to help his friend, he was chased down, hit in the back of the head with a metal object and, while on the ground, punched, kicked and stabbed multiple times. His injuries were grave: three stab wounds to the buttocks, a stab wound to the chest wall, three scalp lacerations—one to the bone with underlying skull injury—and catastrophic hand trauma amounting to an almost amputation of his left little finger with severed tendons, nerves and vessels, plus fractures requiring surgical repair and hardware. CCTV captured screams and calls to “stab him.” Blood pooled across the court and play area as police arrived; two victims lay on the ground awaiting treatment. Around 7:00 pm that evening at Hungry Jack’s in Manor Lakes, Gun and Kent, masked and with three others, surrounded two 15 year olds at a table near the entrance. With one boy held down and told not to move or be hurt, both surrendered their phones, and Gun forced one to log out of iCloud before taking it. When a mother entered to collect her son, she was shoved from the premises after being told, “what do you think, I’m robbing him.” The group left in the stolen Mazda. Police recovered the Mazda the next day in Fraser Rise; Kent’s fingerprints were inside. On 31 July 2023, a search warrant at the Weir Views address where both were staying yielded balaclavas, victim property, and cannabis (37 grams each). A parcel addressed to Gun arrived mid search containing a purchased “Z Hunter” machete. Both were arrested. The court characterised the overall spree as a cowardly rampage targeting vulnerable members of the public. Sam Kent received a total effective sentence of 4 years and 3 months’ imprisonment, with a non parole period of 2 years and 4 months. A $500 fine was imposed for possession of a drug of dependence. Lucus Gun received a total effective sentence of 3 years and 9 months’ imprisonment, with a non parole period of 2 years. He was fined $500 for possession of a drug of dependence. | |
February 2023 – June 2024 Newborough, Yarragon 28 year-old Newborough man | Indigenous man carried on stolen car businessThe offender was a 28 year-old Indigenous Latrobe Valley man and father of three (expecting a fourth) who lived in Newborough with his partner. He had previously worked in abattoirs, at SPC, on a poultry farm and as a casual plasterer. On 1 February 2023, police raided his home and located: •A white Holden Commodore station wagon stolen from Frankston Nissan in December 2022 •A silver Holden Commodore sedan stolen from the Crown Casino car park in December 2022 •A black Holden VG ute stolen from Traralgon Car City in January 2023 •A silver Holden sedan stolen from the Crown Casino car park in December 2022 •A grey Holden sedan stolen from the Park Royal Hotel in Clayton in January 2023 Officers also found numerous stolen car parts, stolen registration plates and around $39k in cash. Later that day, police searched a Yarragon storage unit the man rented and found a black Holden ClubSport sedan wearing plates from a vehicle stolen in Box Hill North in January 2023. He claimed he purchased the vehicles online for $2k–$3k each and refused to provide his phone PIN. He was charged and released on bail. Police returned on 1 March 2023 while he was still on bail. They discovered: •A Holden Commodore stolen from Berwick Railway Station the previous day, fitted with false plates •A Holden Sandman station wagon stolen from Jeff Wignall Ford in Frankston on 14 February 2023, bearing false plates They also seized a wallet containing $1.2k in cash and 14 grams of methylamphetamine. He again claimed to have bought the vehicles, said the cash came from mowing lawns and refused to unlock his phone. Nine stolen vehicles were linked to him. Insurance payouts on eight totalled $217,997.48. The ninth—an uninsured collectors’ car—had been earmarked for sale to support a victim’s autistic son, but was recovered as a stripped shell. He was again bailed yet arrested on 5 June 2024 for further alleged handling offending. He pleaded guilty in the County Koori Court to ten indictable charges of handling stolen goods and possessing a drug of dependence, plus four summary charges including committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. On 10 October 2024, he received a 3 year and 4 month sentence with a 2 year and 1 month non-parole period. The judge described his conduct as a professional, well-organised rebirthing enterprise but noted his efforts to reconnect with his Aboriginal heritage as a positive rehabilitation step. His prior record featured burglary, theft, criminal damage and recklessly causing injury convictions. | |
14 January 2023 Kyneton 39 year-old man | Man on ice crashes into 75 year-old couple, causing horrific injuries and deathAround 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, police radar detected a 2003 Holden Commodore ute with fake plates doing 122kph in an 80kph zone in Kyneton. It was driven by a 39 year-old man who was unlicensed, and under the influence of both methylamphetamine (ice) and amphetamine, to the extent that he was incapable of having proper control over his vehicle. When police operated their emergency lights, he sped away, ultimately crashing into a Ford Territory driven by Colin McKimmie with his wife, Wendy McKimmie, each aged 75. They were on the way to walk their dog by the river. Colin suffered horrific injuries, including fractured pelvis, ribs and scapula. He underwent a number of surgical operations, but was ultimately diagnosed with brain injury, developed various other conditions (including pneumonia, seizures and deep vein thrombosis), and died some seven weeks after the collision. Wendy also suffered a fractured rib, but survived. The driver pleaded guilty in the County Court to culpable driving causing death, recklessly causing injury, possessing a drug of dependence, and other summary offences. He was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 7 years and 6 months. He was on bail at the time of the collision, for various charges, including recklessly causing serious injury, failing to answer bail, contravening a family violence final intervention order (in favour of his mother), possessing cannabis, and possessing an imitation firearm. He also had a very young child. The driver challenged his sentence, claiming it was “manifestly excessive”, but this application was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Victoria. | |
25 April 2022 Melbourne A woman and a man | Man and woman force way into couple's home and menace them with fire extinguisher and knifeA woman and a man forced their way into the home of Anthony Prieto, where his girlfriend, Tayla Morgan-Carr, was also present. The woman was armed with a fire extinguisher, and the man with a knife. Various threats were made to both Mr Prieto and Ms Morgan-Carr. The man punched Mr Prieto. At one point, the woman said to her accomplice "Give me the knife I'll stab him." The woman was out on bail at the time of this incident. She pleaded guilty in the County Court to the following charges: •Aggravated burglary •Making a threat to inflict serious injury (x2) •Common assault (x2) •Handling stolen goods •Possessing a drug of dependence •Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail •Possessing cartridge ammunition without a licence or permit The woman was ultimately sentenced to 2 years and 1 month imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 1 year and 2 months. | |
03 March 2021 Jacana 45 year-old man | Man steals woman's underwear from clothesline, then breaks into home and strokes her buttocksThe offender was granted bail on 09 February 2021 for a number of dishonesty offences. Less than a month later, on the night of 03 March 2021, he broke into a car in Jacana, stole a wallet, and attempted to use a card from the wallet at a service station; the card was declined. At 5am on the same night, the offender - affected by amphetamine and alcohol - climbed a locked gate to enter a residential backyard, wearing a Nike cap and a face mask. He stole a pair of underwear from the clothesline, and pocketed them. He entered the house intending to steal, and interacted with the household's "super friendly" dog. In the lounge room, he found a woman asleep on the couch, wearing only a light robe. He twice touched or stroked her lower buttock or thigh area. When she stirred, he ran away. The woman chased him into the street, where he returned the underwear and introduced himself. When the police later searched him, he was carrying a knife. In interview, he said he felt “aroused” when stealing, describing an adrenaline‑seeking pattern linked to drug use that had “replaced” the thrills he had previously obtained from skateboarding and surfing. The man already had a significant criminal history, including for theft, drug offences, burglary and sexual assault. | |
25 November 2020 Seaford Train Station 19 year-old man, 17 year-old Frankston man | 26 year-old carpenter stabbed in heart and killed, kicked as he lay bleeding on the ground, after coming to defence of girlfriendA 26 year-old Langwarrin man, carpenter Cameron Smith, was out for a dinner with a girlfriend, Natasha Stroumos, when they were approached by a group of people who abused and intimidated her. He came to her defence, and was stabbed in the heart and killed with a broken bottle. He was kicked by his attackers as he lay bleeding on the ground. | |
2015-2019 Melbourne Registered psychologist | Psychologist doctors drug screens and persistently breaches family violence ordersA registered psychologist engaged in a series of dishonest and criminal acts between 2015 and 2019, primarily stemming from a contentious relationship breakdown and illicit drug use. In 2015 and again in 2018, he falsified urinary drug screen results required for family court proceedings. He used "cut and paste" methods to alter positive methamphetamine results to appear negative, subsequently filing a false affidavit in the Federal Circuit Court to conceal his ongoing drug habit. In addition to this calculated dishonesty, he was found guilty of numerous breaches of family violence intervention orders, for sending unauthorized emails and texts to a former partner. He was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon (a knife found in his backpack) on court premises and committing an indictable offence while on bail. Despite these legal proceedings, the man failed to notify the Psychology Board of Australia within seven days of being charged or found guilty, as required by law. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found his actions constituted professional misconduct. He was reprimanded, his registration was suspended for six months, and he was ordered to undergo 18 months of professional supervision focusing on family violence, substance abuse, and ethics. | |
October 2016 – March 2017 South Melbourne, Doreen, Lyndhurst 34 year-old patched Comanchero member | Comanchero gang leader directs drug trafficking, arson, and shootings while on bailA patched member of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and leader of the "Last Kings," directed a sophisticated criminal enterprise involving massive drug distribution and violent enforcement. Between October 2016 and March 2017, he orchestrated a large-scale trafficking operation involving over 5.5kg of methylamphetamine (valued at $1.2 million) and 1.68kg of cocaine. His activities included a conspiracy to burn down the Kittens Gentlemen’s Club in South Melbourne, which he believed was owned by rivals. In November 2016, he directed associates to enforce a debt at a residential property in Doreen; when the initial plan to assault the victim failed, he escalated the plot by arranging for the property to be "sprayed" with bullets from a handgun, telling his associate to "enjoy the adrenaline rush". In addition to his gang activities, the man engaged in domestic violence, threatening to kill a romantic partner and her family after boasting to his sister that he had punched the woman in the head "as hard as he could". A police search of his home uncovered a ballistic vest, handgun ammunition, and a machete with a personal engraving. He was charged with 18 offences, including: •Trafficking in a drug of dependence (large commercial quantity) •Conspiracy to commit arson (x2) •Conspiracy to recklessly cause serious injury and conduct endangering serious injury •Possessing an unregistered handgun and body armour •Committing an indictable offence while on bail The offender was out on bail for other matters throughout the duration of these offences. He was sentenced to a total effective sentence of 18 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13 years and 9 months. |
32 year-old Mooroopna man arrested over theft and threats whilst on bail
A 32 year-old man from Mooroopna was arrested over an alleged theft at a store on High Street in May where he stole a set of screwdrivers. When he was confronted by staff, it will be alleged he threatened them before fleeing. He has since been charged with theft and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. The man was bailed to appear in Shepparton Magistrates' Court on 3 July.
32 year-old Shepparton man charged with theft and criminal damage whilst on bail
A 32 year-old man from Shepparton who was wanted over multiple outstanding alleged offences is accused of stealing more than $5,000 worth of alcohol and groceries. He was charged with:
He was again granted bail, to reappear in Shepparton Magistrates' Court on 15 June.
41 year-old Mooroopna woman convicted for theft and assault whilst on bail
A 41 year-old woman from Mooroopna who allegedly threatened a staff member after stealing from a supermarket on McLennan Street was arrested at the Mooroopna Railway Station. She has been charged with:
36 year-old Mooroopna man on bail arrested for theft
A 36 year-old Mooroopna man who is accused of stealing $15,200 worth of electrical equipment, grocery items, alcohol and clothing in Shepparton was arrested by police and charged with:
Trio arrested during home invasion; two were out on bail
Police have charged two men following an attempted aggravated burglary of a home in Narre Warren North. It is alleged three men were seen trying to break into a property on Fontaine Terrace about 2.30am on 25 May. Officers responded quickly, arriving within two to three minutes, and with assistance from the Dog Squad, arrested two men nearby. A third man was observed by the Air Wing allegedly hiding against a fence line before he was arrested after surrendering to the sound of the approaching police dog. A knife, baton, drugs of dependence and a dumped backpack were located by officers at the scene.
The 23 year-old Dandenong man has been charged with:
The 45 year-old Narre Warren man has been charged with:
The 37 year-old Narre Warren man was transported to hospital after being bitten by a police dog.
Six teens, five of them already on bail, steal two cars in an aggravated burglary; three of them immediately released on bail
Six teenagers broke into a home in Cranbourne East around 1:15am on Thursday night, stealing a Mercedes and a Mazda before fleeing the scene.
The six are:
Of those six, five were already out on bail in relation to other offences. At least three of them were again granted bail over this incident.
Police bust meth trafficking syndicate in Melbourne's outer east, seizing meth, firearms, gold bullion and designer handbags
Seven people are facing serious drugs charges over their alleged involvement in a meth trafficking syndicate in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Police executed eight search warrants on Tuesday 19 May at homes and storage units in Bayswater North, Boronia, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark and Seville. During the searches, detectives uncovered approximately 800g of methylamphetamine worth $75,000, four firearms, and gold bullion valued at $22,000. Designer handbags, a watch, jewellery, two vehicles and more than $200,000 in cash – all believed to be the proceeds of crime – were also seized alongside prohibited weapons including imitation firearms, batons, tasers, knuckle dusters, knives and ammunition.
Four men and two women were arrested:
Teen trio arrested with machetes in stolen car
Police arrested two 17 year-old males and a 16 year-old male after spotting them speeding with no headlights in a stolen Toyota Prado in the middle of the night. The Air Wing observed the vehicle until it stopped at a dead end in Reservoir. The trio fled on foot and began jumping fences until they reached Edwards Creek Walking Trail where they allegedly began dumping items while the chopper watched from overhead. Police searched the area, locating all three teens and two machetes. The car had been stolen from Fitzroy the day before. All three teens have been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a prohibited weapon, and two of them with breach of bail.
Ball bearing slingshot rampage
Two men have been charged following a rampage across Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs, slingshotting ball bearings at random homes and businesses. Both men were out on bail for other offences at the time. The men travelled between several locations in a vehicle and fired the projectiles at shops, restaurants, businesses, properties and bus shelters in many suburbs, including Brunswick, Bentleigh East, Moorabbin, Malvern East, South Yarra, Craigieburn and Coburg. The attacks include:
Following extensive investigations, detectives executed search warrants in Lalor and South Morang on the morning of 22 May, where two men were arrested. Ball bearings were located in both properties and police located two sling shots in South Morang.
The 23 year-old Lalor man has been charged with:
The 22 year-old South Morang man has been charged with:
Three teens charged over Melbourne nightclub arson attacks
Police have charged three teens after a series of arson attacks in Melbourne's CBD earlier this month. Two 18 year-old Tarneit men and a 17 year-old boy from the Wyndham area were charged with multiple counts of offences including:
The trio were arrested after allegedly attending two separate venues (La Di Da and Electric Bar) - one of them twice - in the early hours of Monday 4 May and Tuesday 5 May. The trio ram-raided the venues, before trying to set them on fire. They did not succeed, and one of them accidentally set himself on fire.
Search warrants were executed in Tarneit and the Wyndham area on the morning of Wednesday 20 May, where an 18 year-old from Tarneit was arrested. Later in the morning about 10am, another 18 year-old from Tarneit and a 17 year-old from the Wyndham area were both arrested at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong. The 17 year-old was armed with a huge machete. All three teens are known to the police and are believed to be linked to a youth gang.
The arrests come as part of a broader investigation into arsons across Melbourne hospitality venues in recent months. At least 40 people have now been charged over the attacks, with police saying some offenders were paid as little as $500 in some cases to commit an arson attack. As at the time of this arrest, police are still searching for about a dozen offenders, who are still at large.
Man on bail steals red Toyota and other things, then is immediately bailed again
A 21 year-old man was located in an allegedly stolen red Toyota 86 coupe in Bacchus Marsh on 5 May. Officers also discovered stolen property allegedly linked to a series of theft from vehicles in the Ballarat area. The Wendouree man was charged with:
He faced Ballarat Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear again on 4 June.
Man on bail uses knife to try to rob South Yarra supermarket
A man walked into a supermarket brandishing a multi-tool knife around 9:15pm on Wednesday night, pointed it at a staff member and demanded cigarettes. He plunged the knife into a countertop multiple times before smashing an EFTPOS machine. The man has been charged with:
Man on bail abuses and brutally coward punches elderly pharmacy owner in face in his own store
A Melbourne pharmacy owner has been left with severe facial injuries after being brutally assaulted in his own store. Russell Frajman, 65, had been attempting to remove a customer from his pharmacy on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda about 12.47pm on Wednesday, when he was subjected to vicious abuse and a physical attack. Shocking CCTV footage shows Frajman speaking with a man in hi-vis and asking him to leave, shortly before he was punched in the face. He was left bruised, with cuts on his face and broken glasses.
Frajman's wife, Charlotte, told 9News her husband was blindsided by the sudden coward punch. "We've both been attacked in the pharmacy in the past, so we both have our wits about us," she said. "But we just didn't see it coming." Charlotte earlier told 3AW they waited five hours for police to arrive at the scene after the assault. Frajman eventually attended the police station himself to report the assault. "The last 12 to 18 months have just been diabolical and there are zero police," Charlotte told 3AW. "To wait more than five hours after reporting on Triple-Zero an actual assault of a community pharmacist... and to have followed up with two phone calls directly to St Kilda police to say, 'What's going on? How long are we meant to wait?'."
The following evening, Police arrested a Tarneit man at a licensed venue in Werribee. He has been charged with:
Man on bail stabs acquaintance multiple times in upper body in Yarra Junction
Emergency services responded to reports a man had been stabbed on Hillview Street about 6.25pm. The 38 year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital. The offender fled the scene prior to police arrival. Following a thorough search by investigators, a 40 year-old Yarra Junction man was arrested, hiding in a laneway in Yarra Junction about 8pm. The two men involved are known to each other.
Witnesses described the violence that had erupted on the street, with the accused yelling and smashing car windows. When he was confronted by people known to him, he pulled out a knife and a brawl broke out and the victim was stabbed multiple times in the upper body. The offender became more and more aggressive. After he fled, neighbours rushed to help the victim, who lay bleeding in the middle of the road.
A witness near the scene of the arrest described the offender continually yelling "I didn't mean to do it." during the arrest process.
Police charged the 40 year-old Yarra Junction man with:
Abbotsford man on bail arrested for shoplifting
A 26 year-old man from Abbotsford was arrested following an alleged shoplifting incident. He was also charged with breaching his bail. He is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 13 October.
Man on bail arrested for shoplifting on Chapel Street two days in a row
A 40 year-old man was arrested after a foot pursuit on Chapel Street following an alleged theft from a supermarket. It will be alleged he was arrested the next day for another shoplifting offence. He was charged with shoplifting and failing to appear on bail. He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 19 October.
Geelong man on bail randomly assaults people in Laverton
A 34 year-old Laverton man was quietly waiting for a train at Laverton Station on Saturday afternoon, when he was approached by the offender around 2:15pm. The offender, a 41 year-old Geelong man, struck the man multiple times with a small knife. He sustained minor injuries, but managed to escape and call 000.
The offender then boarded a train and assaulted a second victim - a 23 year-old Point Cook man.
An off-duty senior constable, who was on his way to an ANZAC Day service, witnessed the assault, and intervened by taking the offender to the ground. The constable held the offender down until other officers arrived and formally arrested him. The offender was charged with:
Teens on bail set popular CBD bar on fire
Bar Bambi, a popular Melbourne CBD bar, has been attacked by arsonists for the second time – the latest in a string of suspicious blazes and abductions across the city.
Police were alerted after Melbourne City Council staff spotted a suspicious vehicle on safety cameras near the corner of Flinders and AC/DC lanes, shortly after 5am on Saturday morning. Officers arrived quickly at the scene, but found the shopfront fully ablaze. Police managed to chase down two offenders by foot, then arrested a third in a laneway a short time later. The three males, aged 17 (from Darebin), 16 (from Hume) and 15 (from Merri-bek) have each been charged with:
The 17 year-old has also been charged with committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Narre Warren man on bail charged with 40 offences
Police have arrested a 26 year-old Narre Warren man following a series of burglaries. He has been charged with:
The charges relate to an alleged burglary at a mechanics on Enterprise Avenue about 9:15pm on Thursday 23 April where he stole a Mitsubishi Triton, and police will allege he committed a series of commercial burglaries in the Berwick area on that night.
Man on bail rams pharmacy with Rav 4 before stealing drugs and torching car
A 19 year-old Lalor man on bail used a stolen white Rav 4 to ram-raid Advantage Pharmacy in Lalor around 10:45pm on a Tuesday night. The man gained access to the smashed up Lorne Street business, stealing a large amount of medication before fleeing the scene in the car. The Rav 4, which was stolen from Southbank on 14 April, was later found burnt out in Thomastown.
Police arrested the man in Lalor the following afternoon, charging him with:
The pharmacy continued to serve customers from the street on the day following the attack.
Machete-wielding teenage gang hunts down and savagely beats unarmed men with metal pole, as victims plead for mercy
At least six hooded and masked teenagers chased down, ambushed and savagely beat two unarmed men in broad daylight on Port Melbourne's busiest street. Footage of the incident shows the victims, clearly terrified, running for their lives, before one trips over and is caught, then punched, kicked, stomped and savagely beaten with a metal pole as he begs for mercy. The other victim was also caught and beaten as he called for help, alerting a nearby tradie who came to his rescue. The attackers sped off in a white Haval SUV, which had been stolen from a gym in Clyde North two days prior.
Police tracked the car and dramatically cornered it in Carnegie two days later, just after midnight, arresting four teenagers and recovering several hatchets, a sledgehammer and a steel pole. Police have laid the following charges:
UPDATE: Fifth boy charged with affray, committing indictable offence while on bail, aggravated burglary (x3), thefts and theft of motor vehicle: Victoria Police
- 3AW, 21.04.2026
- Herald Sun, 21.04.2026
- 7 News, 21.04.2026
- News.com.au, 22.04.2026
- 7 News, 22.04.2026
- Victoria Police, 22.04.2026
- 9 News, 22.04.2026
- 7 News, 22.04.2026
- 9 News, 22.04.2026
- Port News, 22.04.2026
- 9 News, 22.04.2026
- 7 News, 22.04.2026
- Star Weekly, 22.04.2026
- 9 News, 22.04.2026
- Victoria Police, 29.04.2026
Violent gang storms diners with machetes in Oakleigh, leaving teen with serious injuries and blood spattered on pavement
Around 7:45pm on Friday 17 April, a group of twelve people were seated at Vanilla Dessert Bar and Lounge on Eaton Mall in Melbourne's bustling, family-friendly Greek precinct of Oakleigh, when they were stormed by a group of eight to ten people wearing balaclavas, some carrying machetes. A violent brawl broke out and an 18 year-old East Malvern man was stabbed and slashed, then taken to hospital with serious injuries. Videos later posted to social media show him cowering on the floor being beaten by a group, while one attacker strikes him with a long blade. A 16 year-old was also assaulted. Witnesses ran in chaotic panic to escape from harm's way.
The parties involved in the incident are known to each other, and it was a targeted attack.
On Thursday 23 April, police arrested a 17 year-old male from Stonnington, a 14 year-old from Dandenong and a 17 year-old from Knox, charging them with a range of offences, including:
As of 24 April, the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
- Greek City Times, 17.04.2026
- Neos Kosmos, 17.04.2026
- The Greek Herald, 17.04.2026
- Sydney Morning Herald, 18.04.2026
- 7 News, 18.04.2026
- ABC, 18.04.2026
- Herald Sun, 18.04.2026
- Sky News, 18.04.2026
- News.com.au, 18.04.2026
- Neos Kosmos, 18.04.2026
- Daily Mail, 18.04.2026
- ABC, 18.04.2026
- The Age, 18.04.2026
- The Greek Herald, 20.04.2026
- Victoria Police, 23.04.2026
- Star Journal, 23.04.2026
- Knox News, 23.04.2026
- 9 News, 23.04.2026
- The Greek Herald, 24.04.2026
Supermarket theft and assault in Balaclava
Two men entered a Camden Street supermarket before stealing several items. Personnel tried to stop the two men and recover stolen items before they were assaulted, one with a knife. The offenders fled and were quickly arrested at the Balaclava Railway Station.
The 23 year-old Windsor man was charged with:
The 26 year-old Essendon man was charged with theft, assault and possession of drugs. He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 01 May.
The arrest forms part of a retail theft blitz in the Port Phillip area. Local police intelligence indicates a core group of 11 offenders is allegedly responsible for over 500 shop thefts across Port Phillip in the past year. This equates to around 40% of all retail theft across South Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Melbourne, and Balaclava.
Six days, six crimes: Three 17 year-olds arrested for string of kidnappings and home invasions while on bail
Detectives have arrested three 17 year-olds as part of an investigation into six incidents potentially linked to the targeting of hospitality venues. Investigators will allege those involved have been targeting promoters for an event held at a licensed venue on York Street in South Melbourne on Saturday nights. The incidents are:
The 17-year old male from Hobsons Bay has been charged with:
A 17 year-old male from Wyndham has been charged with:
The other 17 year-old male from Wyndham has been charged with:
Woman and man arrested after eight-week Geelong crime spree, including spitting in shop attendnt's face
Police arrested and charged a 41-year-old woman for allegedly stealing $3000 worth of pharmaceuticals from a Geelong supermarket. They continued to investigate the woman and linked her and a 44-year-old man to $32,000 worth of shop thefts over the last eight weeks. In once incident, the woman spat in the face of a shop attendant when approached for stealing $11,000 in cosmetics.
Police arrested the pair in Geelong CBD on 14 April and charged them with 23 combined offences including shop theft, unlawful assault and committing indictable offence while on bail.
Man arrested after stealing seven cars (including a police car) whilst out on bail
A 29 year-old Shepparton man has been arrested after allegedly stealing seven cars, as follows:
The man was arrested in Kialla on 16 April and charged with:
Creepy stalker on bail terrorizes woman in Fairfield
A woman has been subjected to a terrifying course of stalking around her home in Fairfield.
The woman was on a run in Fairfield Park on 26 March around 11am, when she noticed an unknown man staring at her. On 31 March the woman returned home and saw the same man standing across the road, staring at her, before he crossed the road and approached the victim, stating he thought she was someone else. On 5 April at 8.28pm, the man approached the woman’s apartments and stood outside the door before the victim told him to leave. He left but returned at 8.42pm and stood outside the apartments for about 12 minutes before leaving. The man returned for the final time at 9.36pm and knocked on the victim’s door but left after she told him she would call police. The man was described as being of African appearance, aged in his 30s with long black hair. He was wearing the same clothing on every occasion which was a black graphic tee-shirt, blue jeans and was carrying a brown leather bag. Police released an image of the suspect:
Police arrested the Richmond man in Richmond on 17 April.
Police smash billion-dollar drug importing conspiracy, arresting nine men, including prominent horse racing identities
Nine men have been charged for their alleged links to a syndicate behind a large-scale conspiracy to import tonnes of illicit drugs worth more than a billion dollars into Victoria and traffic drugs around the country. Among those arrested are prominent horse racing figures: trainer Grant Dalziel, his son Peter and former jockey Brian Park.
The ten-month investigation, Operation Bruce Cremorne, was run by the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), which includes the AFP, Victoria Police, Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). The alleged offenders, aged between 31 and 72, have been charged with a range of offences relating to the alleged conspiracy and the interstate trafficking of illicit drugs, and seven are facing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted. Operation Bruce Cremorne was launched in late May 2025, when four crew members were rescued after a commercial trawler sank off the coast of Port Albert, Victoria. The JOCTF began monitoring the movements of the crew due to suspicions about why the vessel had travelled out to sea in bad weather without equipment usually required for commercial fishing.
Over the following months, police undertook surveillance of multiple local boat crews suspected to be linked to a drug importation syndicate. It is alleged the syndicate made multiple attempts to travel into Bass Strait to launch suspected 'daughter vessels' to travel to a predetermined drop zone to receive significant quantities of illicit drugs from a 'mother ship' passing through Australian waters. The syndicate was unsuccessful in alleged attempts to facilitate any such transfer and no importation occurred.
The Victorian JOCTF executed rolling search warrants over the past month across the Victorian suburbs of Morwell, Glenroy, Cranbourne, Cranbourne West, Cranbourne South and Greenvale. The two Morwell men were on bail at the time. A further warrant was executed in the Sydney suburb of St Clair. As part of this sweeping operational activity, eight men were arrested in Victoria and one man was arrested in Sydney. Seven of the men were arrested for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to import illicit drugs, while two were solely charged for their alleged involvement in illicit drug trafficking activity.
Four of the men were also charged in connection to the seizure of 30kg of methamphetamine by the WA JOCTF in Perth on 11 August, 2025, and the seizure of 41kg of cocaine by the Victoria Police Viper Taskforce at Barnawartha in regional Victoria days later (13 August, 2025). It will be alleged these seizures in Western Australia and Victoria are connected to the criminal syndicate, which exploited trucking industry connections to facilitate the movement of illicit drugs between Australian states.
Investigations into the international syndicate behind an alleged mothership attempting to drop illicit cargo into Australian waters remain ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Charges
A Greenvale man, 34, has been charged with:
A Glenroy man, 63, was charged with:
A Morwell man, 38, was charged with:
A Morwell man, 44, was charged with:
A Cranbourne West man, 45, was charged with:
A Cranbourne South man, 38, was charged with:
A Glen Huntly man, 72, was charged with:
A Glenroy man, 52, was charged with:
A St Clair man, 31, was charged with:
Three of the men charged were released on bail, whilst the other six were remanded in custody.
Wyndham Vale man on bail driving unlicensed with false plates
Police arrested a 47 year-old Wyndham Vale man on Ballan Road around 11:20pm. He was driving a Ford Falcon ute with false number plates. He was also charged with driving an unregistered car, unlicensed driving and breach of bail.
Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member on bail arrested with drugs, cash and weapons
Police intercepted a vehicle on Mitchell Street in Bendigo about 11.10am. Officers searched the vehicle, seizing drugs, cash, .22 calibre ammunition and knuckle dusters, and arrested the 36 year-old driver.
Detectives then executed search warrants at addresses in North Bendigo and Jackass Flat, where they located and seized several vials of testosterone and a safe.
The North Bendigo man has been charged with several offences, including:
* Trafficking cocaine * Possessing cocaine * Dealing with suspected proceeds of crime * Possessing a prohibited weapon without an exemption * Using an unregistered motor vehicle * Being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition * Commit indictable offence whilst on bail.
Three teens invade Ashwood home and steal Audi
Three masked teenagers broker into an Ashwood home around 1:55am on Sunday night. A terrified husband and wife barricaded themselves in their bedroom while the gang of thugs ransacked their home. The teens eventually stole the couple’s Audi A1 and fled in it.
The car was spotted by police a short time later. Air Wing followed the vehicle along the Monash Freeway at high speeds (up to 190km/h), before stop sticks were deployed near the Heatherton Road exit. The Audi continued along Princes Highway towards Narre Warren, before it was dumped in Valley Fair Drive and the three occupants fled on foot.
A 16-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys, all from the Cardinia area, were arrested on Strawbent Rise. One of the 17-year-old boys was charged with home invasion, theft of a motor vehicle, theft and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. The other 17-year-old boy was charged with home invasion, theft of a motor vehicle and theft. They were both remanded to appear at a children’s court. The 16-year-old was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being chased and bitten by a police dog.
UPDATE: Footage of stabbing now available: 7 News
Teen on bail randomly stabs 25 year-old Mount Waverley woman in Clayton
A 16 year-old male from the Stonnington area randomly stabbed a 25 year-old Mount Waverley woman on her way to work nearby, around 7:50am on Thursday morning. The offender and the victim were not known to each other, and the attack was unprovoked.
Police were called to M-City Shopping Centre on Blackburn Road to reports a woman had been stabbed at the top of the escalators. She was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a serious condition. The woman, whose identity has not been released to protect her privacy, was described by eyewitnesses as an ordinary commuter heading to her job in the vicinity.
The offender fled the area but was arrested a short time later at medical centre in Clayton. The offender has been charged with:
He had stolen a knife from Woolworths just moments before the attack.
He was remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
- ABC, 19.03.2026
- 9 News, 19.03.2026
- News.com.au, 19.03.2026
- Sky News, 19.03.2026
- 7 News, 19.03.2026
- 7 News, 19.03.2026
- Sydney Morning Herald, 19.03.2026
- Knox News 19.03.2026
- Economic Times, 19.03.2026
- Daily Mail, 19.03.2026
- MSN, 19.03.2026
- Manchester Mirror, 19.03.2026
- Victoria Police, 20.03.2026
- The Local Paper, 20.03.2026
Five teens – at least one out on bail – take stolen lambo for 15-hour joyride and police chase before crashing
A group of teens allegedly entered a property on The Esplanade in Maribyrnong in the middle of the night, stole a black 2020 Lamborghini Urus wagon and fled the scene.
Officers responded to multiple reports of the vehicle driving erratically in surrounding suburbs, before losing sight of it in Keilor Park. The Lamborghini continued to evade police throughout the day and was allegedly seen driving recklessly on highways and over footpaths, putting other drivers and pedestrians at risk.
The car was later spotted in Glen Waverley where it allegedly ran a red light and continued at excessive speeds. Air Wing followed the Lamborghini through several suburbs before it returned to Glen Waverley and drove through a shopping centre car park. Three occupants got out of the car and fled on foot.
The driver continued on, exiting the car park and drove around the back of the shopping centre, before losing control and crashing into the fence of a property on Myers Avenue about 4.35pm.
Regarding the occupants:
The car belongs to a man named Ozzie Kheir, who is the founder of the property development company Resimax Group. Photos of the stolen SUV issued by police clearly show a personalized “RESIMX” license plate.
Police smash Box Hill drug syndicate across eastern suburbs, seizing $1.7 in drugs and cash, and weapons
Police have busted an organised drug trafficking syndicate and seized more than $1.7 million worth of illicit drugs and cash after a series of warrants across Melbourne's east. Detectives executed 11 warrants across Box Hill (x5), Blackburn South (x2), Nunawading, Doncaster, Patterson Lakes and Glen Waverley this week as part of a months-long investigation. In total, seven people were arrested and police seized:
Six men were charged with a range of offences including:
A seventh man, aged 26 from Box Hill, was released pending further enquiries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Violent teenagers on bail cut anke bracelets and go on the run
Two of the state’s most high-risk youth offenders are on the run after removing their state-issued ankle monitoring devices designed to track their every move. Victoria Police launched a search for the two boys, aged 14 and 16, after learning the tracking devices – which were issued as part of their bail conditions – were no longer working.
The 16-year-old boy from the Darebin area is described as a high-risk offender known to steal vehicles during aggravated burglaries, carry weapons and engage in police pursuits. He was last seen at Gardiner Railway Station in Glen Iris, about 4.30pm on Wednesday 11 March.
Around 7.30pm, police were alerted to reports a second boy had also removed his ankle monitor in Toorak. Officers attended a property in the area, where an ankle monitor was found in a stormwater drain. The 14 year-old boy was seen leaving the area in a white Toyota SUV.
The teens are known to each other and may be travelling together.
Gang on crime spree attacks innocent young family in home with machetes and baseball bats
A gang of youths violently tried to smash their way a home on Honeyeater Way in Pakenham around 4am on 23 February 2026, while an innocent young family cowered inside. A 3 year-old girl and a 6 year-old girl were among the residents sleeping. A resident home at the time went to their front door and observed multiple alleged offenders, carrying machetes and baseball bats. Confronting footage shows the group smashing windows and trying to break the door down. One of the offenders had a gun. The alleged offenders did not gain access to the home, and fled the scene.
Twenty minute later, two occupants of a property on Astley Way in Lynbrook woke to commotion inside their home about 4.20am. The intruders were spooked by the occupants and their dogs, before fleeing in a black Audi (stolen in Waterways) and a white Mitsubishi ASX (stolen in Preston). The gang then broke into another home in Bellfield, where a 20 year-old resident was injured.
The homes may have been attacked in retaliation for a stabbing in Collingwood which left two youths seriously wounded.
Detectives allege these incidents are linked to an aggravated burglary at a property on Salamanca Drive in Clyde North on Monday afternoon around 1pm. Thousands of dollars worth of luxury items, including handbags, wallets, watches and a robe, were stolen from the home, with the group later boasting about their loot in a series of posts on social media.
As of 02 February 2026, police have arrested five men in Endeavour Hills and Frankston, aged between 18 and 22, and laid various charges, including:
Man on bail arrested for staggering 98 offences
A man has been charged with a staggering 98 offences following an extensive investigation into thefts across Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs between November 2025 and February 2026.
Detectives executed a search warrant at a property on Duce Street in Cranbourne East on Wednesday, 25 February about 8am. A man fled the property on foot, however he was located in the rear yard of a neighbouring property and taken into custody. During the search of the property, officers located a stolen BMW, stolen power tools, a small quantity of methylamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol.
The 31-year-old man has been charged with 98 offences, including:
* Burglary * Theft * Theft of motor vehicle * Theft from motor vehicle * Handling stolen goods * Obtaining property by deception * Unlicensed driving * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail * Failure to answer bail
Car theft syndicate busted with more than 20 stolen cars recovered
An alleged syndicate responsible for a series of high-end car thefts across Melbourne has been busted, with police charging four people and recovering more than 20 stolen vehicles.
Among the 21 vehicles seized was a bobcat, a tow truck, a minibus, a custom Holden Caprice, a Toyota Hilux, a Ford Ranger and several trailers and motorcycles.
It's alleged the syndicate has been targeting cars parked in public car parks, on the street and at private businesses across multiple suburbs including Coolaroo, Footscray, Gisborne, Derrimut, Deer Park, Diggers Rest, Port Melbourne, Thomastown and Tullamarine.
Police also seized multiple third-party electronic key reprogramming devices as part of the investigation, which was allegedly the predominant method used by offenders to steal the vehicles.
The first search warrant was executed on Tuesday 3 February at a property in Wildwood where 10 vehicles were uncovered. Further search warrants were undertaken on Monday 16 February in Melton, Ascot Vale and Sunbury, and on Tuesday 17 February in Craigieburn where police recovered the remaining 11 vehicles and arrested the two alleged ringleaders.
Two men aged 34 and 35-years-old, both from Sunbury, have been charged with more than 60 offences, including:
They have both been remanded to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 3 March 2026.
Two other men from Wildwood were charged with handling stolen goods, and were bailed to appear at court at a later date.
In addition to the 21 vehicles recovered, police also recovered a range of other items including:
The use of third-party electronic key reprogramming devices to steal cars is an increasing trend.
Teen on bail stabs another teen in a violent brawl in Geelong CBD
A violent brawl broke out between two teenage boys, known to each other, at a shopping centre on Little Malop Street on Thursday afternoon. The brawl was watched by a crowd of teenage audience members, and one boy ultimately stabbed the other. The 17 year-old victim was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
The offender was arrested the next day, and charged with:
He was again bailed.
Police arrest bailed prolific car thief who used "key reprogramming devices" to steal at least 25 cars
Police executed a search warrant at a home in Ringwood North on 29 January 2026, arresting a 27 year-old man, later charging him with more than 60 offences, after he used third party electronic key reprogramming devices to steal at least 25 cars.
The alleged thefts occurred across Melbourne's east and southeast from Malvern East, Hawthorn, Clayton, Pakenham, Ferntree Gully, Frankston, Narre Warren to Bayswater between September 2025 and January 2026.
Police will allege the thief used key mimicking tools to access, reprogram and steal vehicles parked in train station carparks. Some were also stolen from residential driveways and streets. A key mimicking device was located in his possession.
The Ringwood North man was charged with more than 60 offences, including:
* Theft of a motor vehicle * Burglary * Criminal damage * Unlicensed driving * Going equipped to steal * Committing an indictable offence while on bail * Handling stolen goods * Possessing drugs of dependence
He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 February, where police will look to issue further charges.
Throughout the investigation detectives also located seven allegedly stolen cars and seven separate sets of stolen registration plates both at the Ringwood North address and nearby.
Third party electronic key reprogramming devices have become increasingly available for purchase. While they are not illegal to own, police seized more than 300 devices from offenders in the last four months of 2025.
Assault with hammer outside Cranbourne home
Two men assaulted another man around 10am outside a home on Wallace Rd, Cranbourne, striking him with a hammer.
The 51 year-old Frankston man has been charged with:
* Intentionally causing serious injury * Assault with a weapon * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail
The 34 year-old Cranbourne man was charged with intentionally causing injury.
The three men are known to each other.
Shotgun home invasion and Mercedes theft
Two men allegedly forced their way into a property in Narre Warren South around 2am, armed with a sawn-off shotgun and an edged weapon. A 30-year-old male victim was home at the time.
The men allegedly stole a Mercedes SUV wagon from the property and fled the scene. The vehicle was tracked and followed through multiple suburbs including Berwick, Narre Warren North and Narre Warren. Stop sticks were deployed and the car came to a stop on Narre Warren North Road in Narre Warren.
Police, along with Airwing, special units, the dog squad and Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) officers were deployed to assist with an arrest. The two men ran from the scene and were arrested nearby at approximately 3.50am. One was transported to hospital for observation before being released into police custody.
The 20-year-old Doveton man was charged with:
* Home invasion with firearm * Theft of motor vehicle * Theft * Carrying a firearm as a prohibited person * Dangerous driving whilst pursued by police * Possessing a prohibited weapon * Unlicensed driving
The 23-year-old Berwick man was charged with:
* Home invasion with a firearm * Theft * Firearms offences * Bail-related offences
Both men were to be directly presented to Melbourne Magistrates' Court and police were to seek remand.
Hastings man charged over copper thefts
Police arrested a 26 year-old Hastings man after executing a warrant about 8:45am on 30 January 2026 at a Hastings home as part of an ongoing investigation.
The man was interviewed in relation to a number of copper thefts from power poles in the Hastings area since August last year. Officers located a large amount of copper wiring at the property during a search.
He was charged with:
* Theft * Dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail
He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates' Court on 21 April.
Two men burgle business and steal car in Dandenong South
Two men allegedly broke into a car detailing business and stole a Jeep Cherokee just before 11pm, fleeing the scene in the stolen vehicle.
The business owner received a notification on his CCTV camera system of the burglary and notified police, before the Air Wing quickly spotted the car travelling south on Frankston-Dandenong Road.
The Jeep stopped on Illawarra Crescent in Dandenong North, where the passenger got out of the vehicle and entered a property. The driver continued into Avon Court where he pulled over and was arrested. Officers then entered the Illawarra Crescent address where they located the passenger hiding in a cupboard.
The 31-year-old Carrum Downs man was charged with:
He was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 29 January.
The 30-year-old Loch Sport man was charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle. He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 3 March.
Man on bail shoots acquaintance, and is arrested with taser, slingshot, machete, ammo and drugs
Shortly after midnight, a 29 year-old man presented himself to a Ballarat hospital with a gunshot wound to his lower body.
Later that day, police arrested a 30 year-old man and a 28 year-old woman at a home in Delacombe and charged the man with:
The woman was released without charge pending further enquiries.
Detectives also seized a number of items from the Delacombe property, including a taser, a slingshot, a machete, ammunition and drugs.
Police believe the incident was targeted and that parties involved were known to each other.
Man on bail shoots woman in Cobden
A 26 year-old Cobden man shot a woman at a house in Cobden around 6pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026. The woman was treated for her injury.
The shooter was arrested three days later, outside an address in Terang, with the assistance of the Special Operations Group. Detectives seized ammunition and a taser from the property.
The man was later charged with:
He was remanded to appear at Warrnambool Magistrates' Court on 15 May.
The shooter and the victim are known to each other.
Man breaks down in court after allegedly stabbing homeless Good Samaritan who tried to help woman during altercation
The alleged offender, a 20 year-old Aboriginal man from Reservoir, became involved in an altercation with a young female around 11pm on a Monday night outside UNO Pizza and Grill on Flinders Street in Melbourne CBD. A 20 year-old homeless man heard the altercation and yelled "Oi!", before jumping onto the offender's back and trying to push him away from the girl. The two men then became involved in an altercation, with the offender eventually producing a knife and stabbing the homeless Good Samaritan in the back, causing a laceration up to 4cm deep. The victim was taken to hospital with a collapsed lung.
CCTV captured the incident, along with footage of the alleged offender fleeing the scene and boarding a tram. Passengers called police, reporting a man acting strange with blood on his shirt. The man was arrested on a tram Fitzroy and later charged with the following offences:
The alleged offender appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on the following day. The Magistrate acknowledged that he was "extremely distressed" and in a "fragile" state in the courtroom, at one point asking if he was okay to proceed. The man was seen hyperventilating, rocking back and forth with tears in his eyes, blocking his ears with his hands and crossing his fingers. He begged the Magistrate, "please don't send me to jail," sobbing throughout the hearing. He also said "Please your honour please … I didn't do it" … "This isn't me. This isn't me.", etc.
The alleged offender was on bail at the time of the offence, required to follow a strict curfew and report to police on Saturday and Sunday.
The offender's lawyer again applied for bail, arguing that his Aboriginality and links to the community were important to him and also said he had expressed suicidal ideation due to being in custody. "He's a person who's at the highest of risk in the custodial setting," she said. Police argued the accused man would present too high of a risk to the community if granted bail, pointing out that he had allegedly broken his bail on Monday night. They also said he had "no self control" and "no consideration for his victims". The Magistrate expressed sympathy for the offender, but denied the application for bail, saying "I'm deeply mindful you're 20 years old, very vulnerable Aboriginal young man." … "The evidence against you that you stabbed this man appears to be very strong," … "Evidence persuades me you are out of control. You are a serious threat to the community." The offender wept, saying, "I can't … I can't … I can't", collapsing as security carried him out of court. The man's cries could be heard even after he left the courtroom.
Charges laid for $663k construction industry blackmail
Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have further charged a man as part of an investigation into blackmail. A 32-year-old Eltham man was arrested in Heidelberg this afternoon. He has since been charged with two counts of contravening a conduct condition of bail.
The man was initially charged on 12 February with blackmail, and failure to comply withdirection to assist (failing to provide a PIN code to police). The charges relate to allegations of blackmail committed at a business in Brooklyn on 19 January 2026, when a demand was made for the victim to pay $663,000.
Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry, and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025. This was in response to a number of fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour. Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry. It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to outlaw motorcycle gangs. Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Four teenagers charged after spate of gym thefts across Melbourne
Four brazen teens have been charged over a theft spree targeting gym-goers at Anytime Fitness. Police say the spree began when the teens allegedly stole a set of car keys from a Port Melbourne gym on a Friday. They had allegedly stolen a member's pass, which they used to sneak in. CCTV footage shows one of the youths rummaging through lockers before making away with a set of car keys. The gym owner became aware of the suspicious behaviour and chased the teens, but they managed to flee the scene in a separate (allegedly stolen) vehicle.
Later that day, the teens struck again, this time successfully stealing a gold Subaru Liberty from a gym in Nunawading. The Subaru Liberty was spotted by police early on Saturday morning travelling at high speeds through Reservoir and was followed to Richmond. Police then made a dramatic attempt to intercept the car in a carpark, but it fled the scene at speed, crashing through a boom gate. The vehicle was dumped a short time later near the intersection of Lennox Street and Rowena Parade. Officers moved in and arrested the four occupants.
The driver, an 18-year-old Albert Park man, was charged with:
He was refused bail and was required to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 27 January 2026. The three teenage boys were also charged and bailed to appear before a children's court at a later date.
Six Mildura teens go on crime spree
On 16 January 2026, police in Mildura arrested six teenagers in connection with the following incidents:
The alleged offenders are:
Most or all of the alleged offenders were granted bail.
Copper theft in Altona
Police were called to reports of a theft in progress at a demolition site on Modal Place about 9.20pm. Two vehicles - a Jeep utility and white Toyota Hiace van - were spotted by responding officers leaving the scene. The van was followed to Freya Drive in Williams Landing, where it was dumped. The two alleged occupants fled on foot but were arrested nearby.
A 50-year-old West Footscray man was charged with theft, trespass, handling stolen goods and possessing methylamphetamine. A 47-year-old St Albans man was charged with theft, trespass, handling stolen goods and committing an indictable offence while on bail. Both men were bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 6 August.
Police located stolen copper wiring and methamphetamine in the vehicle.
Sooshi Mango comedy burglar charged with more than 50 offences
A 54 year-old man forced his way into the office of Italian comedy trio Sooshi Mango on Drummond Street, Carlton, around 7pm on a Sunday.
The morning after the burglary, the comedy group, consisting of brothers Carlo and Joe Salantiri and Andrew Manfre, took matters into their own hands, posting CCTV footage of the burglary on their official Instagram page and appealing to the public to help identify the maskless man. The footage shows a man force his way into the office, smashing a glass door, before proceeding to rummage through drawers. He then flees the scene, seemingly empty-handed. "We are Italians; we don't leave cash in obvious places.", Manfre later explained. The office building is nearby to restaurant Johnny, Vince & Sam's, which Sooshi Mango opened in 2023. Sooshi Mango have more than 3 million followers on Instagram thanks to their popular comedy skits, which largely make fun of their Italian roots and other ethnic stereotypes.
Sooshi Mango later lashed out at the Victorian government, calling for tougher crime laws, commenting "These rats think they can go around stealing from hard-working, honest people and get away with it.", "If Victoria had stricter laws, these filthy, rotten leeches wouldn't have the confidence to go around breaking into places in broad daylight." and "Harsher penalties will be very welcomed. I think we need to get on top of it. (Crime is) obviously out of control." Salanitri also lashed out at the government for failing to tackle the cost of living crisis after a woman stole his Coles delivery just over three weeks prior, in December.
A week after the burglary, Sooshi Mango took their search for justice to the next level, posting a photo of themselves wearing newly printed "MISSING ROBBER" t-shirts, showing the burglar's face. "Guys, the cops know the guy who broke our door when he tried to rob our office. They have been to his house but he isn't anywhere to be found," they wrote on Instagram. "We are really worried about his wellbeing and safety. Come home robber. You are loved."
Shortly after that stunt, on 12 January, the suspect was arrested and charged with more than 50 offences, including:
The offences relate to the following incidents:
He was also processed for three outstanding warrants for failing to attend on bail.
- ABC, 05.01.2026
- Sky News, 05.01.2026
- The Age, 05.01.2026
- 7 News, 05.01.2026
- Sydney Morning Herald, 05.01.2026
- Daily Mail, 05.01.2026
- 7 News, 05.01.2026
- 9 News, 05.01.2026
- Heralds Sun, 13.01.2026
- Victoria Police, 14.01.2026
- National Tribune, 14.01.2026
- Mirage News, 14.01.2026
- news.com.au, 14.01.2026
- Sky News, 14.01.2026
- Herald Sun, 14.01.2026
- Today, 15.01.2026
- Sooshi Mango, 20.01.2026
84 year-old family violence
An 84 year-old man allegedly committed a family violence-related aggravated burglary, made threats to kill and absconded from bail in Queensland. The man had been evading police for several weeks before being tracked down and arrested on warrant in Cobram.
Grinch charged over Christmas crime spree
A 49 year-old Altona Meadows man unleashed a one-man crime spree across Melbourne over Christmas. Police allege he broke into a design studio in Richmond about 7pm on Christmas Day, then stole a vehicle from a furniture business in the same suburb a short time later.
The man drove to the city's northwest early on Boxing Day, breaking into a restaurant in Deer Park about 5:45am, then a furniture business and two restaurants in Ravenhall.
He was arrested at a pub in St Albans at 1pm on Boxing Day. The stolen vehicle was found in the car park and police seized items from it they say were stolen in the burglaries.
The man was charged with a number of offences, including:
Former CFMEU leader John Setka charged again, for harassment whilst on bail
Police have arrested former Victorian CFMEU leader John Setka for a second time, charging him with allegedly sending a harassing message to a CFMEU administration staff member on Christmas Day 2025.
Mr Setka, 61, was arrested in Footscray and charged with:
He was initially arrested on 12 November 2025 and charged with seven counts of using a telecom communications device to menace, harass and offend. He was further charged on 5 December with two counts of using a telecom communications device to offend.
He has been bailed again to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 June 2026.
The December charges followed an investigation into threatening and harassing emails Mr Setka allegedly sent to CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC. Investigators allege Mr Setka sent the emails in response to the administrator’s legal notice to produce material, and a follow-up letter a day later, in relation to a probe into a union "slush" fund known as the Building Industry 2000 fund.
After Mr Setka resigned in 2024 amid allegations the union had been infiltrated by organised crime figures and outlaw bikies, the Albanese government put the union’s construction division into administration.
Hammer attack
A 24-year-old man struck a 25-year-old man with a stolen hammer, causing a minor laceration. The older man then took hold of the hammer, chasing the other man and punching him. The 24-year-old was charged with shop theft, affray and assault with a weapon. The 25-year-old was charged with affray, assault with a weapon and committing an indictable offence on bail.
Couple on drugs steals $800 of clothing
A 20-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man stole $800 of streetwear. The woman was charged with shoptheft, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence on bail. The man was charged with shoptheft and breaching a court order.
Man and woman caught with illegal firearms and drugs
Detectives charged a man and a woman as part of an investigation into alleged drugs and firearms trafficking in South Melbourne. A warrant was executed at a residential property on Gladstone Street about 9.20am on Monday, 22 December. Police seized:
Both were charged with various offences, including possessing unregistered firearms, trafficking commercial quantities of drugs, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
Both were out on bail at the time.
Crazed driver repeatedly rams police car to evade arrest
Police were called to a unit complex in Mornington about 7.40pm on a Friday, after reports of a suspicious person loitering around the home. They parked in the driveway and exited their vehicle. A stolen black Toyota Landcruiser emerged from the back of the property. Dramatic CCTV footage captured the Toyota then accelerating to slam into the police car. It then backed up, and repeated the manoeuvre over and over again, forcefully ramming the police car around a dozen times over a period of two minutes, in an attempt to escape. Both vehicles and the property were severely damaged, with the police car rotating 90 degrees and becoming wedged in the driveway.
The crazed driver of the Toyota, wearing nothing but shorts and socks, then got out of the car, frantically hopped across the roof of the police car, leaped into the driveway and stumbled, before sprinting off down the street to evade arrest. The police yelled at him to get out of the car and give himself up, not realising he was already gone. Police patrolled the area with dogs for seven hours, but could not locate the man.
Shortly after this incident, police revealed that the key suspect was wanted on five warrants for burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, and contravening bail and a court order.
Update: The offender was arrested after police received a report of a man passed out in a suspicious vehicle in Hallam on 4 January. The man woke up and allegedly attempted to evade police, mounting a curb and crashing into a bin. The man exited the vehicle from the passenger door and ran before he allegedly attempted to carjack a passing vehicle unsuccessfully and ran into bushland. Police, with assistance from the Dog Squad, tracked the man and located him hiding in the bush. He was taken into custody.
The man was then charged with an array of offences including:
* Robbery
* Theft of motor vehicle (x4)
* Burglary (x8)
* Attempted burglary (x5)
* Attempted theft of motor vehicle
* Theft from motor vehicle
* Assaulting police (x2)
* Reckless conduct causing serious injury (x2)
* Reckless conduct endangering life (x2)
* Driving in a dangerous manner
* Damaging an emergency vehicle
* Criminal damage (x3)
* Unlicenced driving
* Failing to appear on bail
Police ram speeding maniac in stolen car
Police tracked and chased a 35 year-old Sebastopol man in a stolen white Toyota Prado. With the assistance of the Air Wing, police tracked the vehicle as it allegedly drove erratically and dangerously causing significant risk to the public across suburbs including Redan, Ballarat and Wendouree. They eventually brought the vehicle to a stop by ramming it, to prevent any further serious risk to the community. The driver was arrested and charged with the following offences:
* Recklessly exposing an emergency services worker (x7) * Theft of a motor vehicle * Dangerous driving whilst being pursued * Reckless conduct endangering serious injury * Possessing methyl-amphetamine * Failing to answer bail * Unlicensed driving and other related charges
Man and girl stab acquaintance
A 26-year old man and a 17-year old girl confronted the victim - also a 26 year-old Burwood man - outside a fast food outlet on Burwood Road just before 10pm. They set upon him, spraying him with a fire extinguisher, then seriously assaulting and stabbing him, then stealing his jacket and bag. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The three persons were all known to each other.
The 26-year-old Burwood man was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, assault with a weapon, assault in company, and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
The 17-year-old girl was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, assault with a weapon, assault in company and handling stolen goods.
Man steals from six shops
A 45 year-old St Kilda man was arrested over a spate of alleged shop thefts in South Melbourne. He was charged with six counts of stealing from a shop, and two counts of committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
Following this arrest,the man was again bailed, to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 May 2026.
Man traffics ice in Carrum Downs
A 45-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trafficking methylamphetamine in the Carrum Downs area. He was charged with trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence, and committing indictable offence whilst on bail. There is a warrant for his arrest after he allegedly failed to appear in court.
Bag of guns found in street
Police investigated after a bag containing firearms was discovered in a street in Whittington last week. They executed a search warrant at an address in Alouette Court and arrested a 29 year-old man. They later charged the man with 32 offences, including trafficking a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence, possessing a traffickable quantity of firearms, and failing to answer bail.
Teenagers steal car and violently rob five convenience and cigarette shops
Two teenage males engaged in a string of violent robberies across Melbourne's eastern suburbs over a two day period. They are alleged to have hit five convenience and cigarette stores, targeting cigarettes and vapes.
The following day, police arrested the 18 year-old male in Burnside Heights, charging him the following 16 offences:
* Theft (x4) * Attempted burglary (x2) * Criminal damage (x2) * Robbery (x3) * Common law assault (x2) * Recklessly causing injury * Committing an indictable offence whilst on bail * Contravening a condition of bail
The next day, police attended an address in the Knox area, where they arrested a 16 year-old male and charged him with the following 18 offences:
* Theft (x5) * Attempted burglary (x2) * Criminal damage (x2) * Robbery (x3) * Common law assault (x2) * Recklessly causing injury * Theft of motor vehicle * Failing to comply with a direction to assist * Handling stolen goods
It is alleged the pair utilised an Isuzu utility stolen from a Dandenong address on 13 November.
Man smahes into home with sledgehammer as woman and children sleep inside
A man used a sledgehammer to try to smash his way through the front door of an Ascot Vale home, while a woman and three children slept inside.
Police were called to the scene and arrested the man, seizing a sledgehammer, an iron bar and an imitation firearm wrapped in a black sheet.
The man was charged with aggravated burglary with an offensive weapon, going equipped to steal and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
Crazy woman randomly attacks Chinese international students in CBD
A 29 year-old woman from Melton South randomly attacked another woman on Queen St around 3:40pm, striking her in the upper body with an object.
She then continued along Queen St and randomly attacked another woman, striking her in the upper body with the same object.
The first victim, a 22-year-old woman from the Melbourne area, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The second victim, a 23-year-old woman also from the Melbourne area, was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The woman has been charged with recklessly causing injury, aggravated assault of a female, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and possessing methylamphetamine.
Man steals car with sleeping toddler inside
Detectives have charged a man after he allegedly stole a car with a sleeping toddler inside it last week. It is alleged the man stole the vehicle from a supermarket carpark on Maude Street just before 2pm on 14 November.
When he realised a 15-month-old boy was inside, he allegedly removed the child and left him in a box in the carpark. The mother returned and located the toddler.
The man allegedly fled in the red Volkswagen, worth $31,500, which was located in Mooroopna (a town 5km west of Shepparton) the following day.
Police arrested the 32-year-old Mooroopna man in central Shepparton one week later. He allegedly suffered a back injury during the arrest. He has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endanger serious injury and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.
Detectives also charged the man with a number of offences in an unrelated incident in the Shepparton and Barmah areas on 17 November. Charges include theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving whilst pursued by police and aggravated reckless exposure of police officer to risk by driving.
Stabbing in South Melbourne
A 22 year-old South Melbourne man stabbed a 41 year-old South Melbourne man on Clarendon St in South Melbourne around 10pm on Friday night. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The two men were known to each other.
Police arrested and charged the 22 year-old man with intentionally causing serious injury, breaching bail, possessing cannabis, possessing a controlled weapon and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Security guard assaulted in laneway on cup day
The man assaulted a 47 year-old security guard in a laneway around 12:45pm, before taking off on foot through the shopping centre. The victim was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries, and was still recovering at home over one week later.
Police found the man asleep in a stolen car a week later and arrested him. He was charged with 12 offences, including intentionally causing injury, assault with a weapon, committing an indictable offence while on bail, possessing stolen goods, and attempted burglary.
Teen trio menace, slash and steal from man and boy
A trio of teens in a Range Rover stolen from Elwood overnight pulled up beside a 19 year-old man and a 16 year-old boy from Lang Lang around 9am on a quiet residential street in Pakenham. The trio demanded items, and when the 19 year-old victim refused, he was cornered on a porch, assaulted and slashed with a knife. The 16 year-old victim pushed one of the offenders away, and the pair fled towards a nearby railway station. The girl picked up one of the victim's bags, and the trio fled in the Range Rover, stopping in Cranbourne North 15 minutes later to steal petrol from a service station. The 19 year-old victim was transported to hospital.
All three offenders were arrested within one week of the incident. The 16 year-old Frankston male was charged with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods; he was bailed to appear at a children's court on a later date. The 14 year-old Kingston male was charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing serious injury, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, committing an indictable offence whilst on bail and other assault offences. The 16 year-old Geelong female was charged with robbery, theft, theft of a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, unlawful assault, stealing from a shop, and was bailed to appear at a children's court on a later date.
Erratic driver in stolen car arrested after running out of fuel
Police chased a man driving erratically in a stolen Ford Falcon on the Princes Highway. The man drove at high speeds, narrowly missed other vehicles and drove on the wrong side of the road. He was eventually arrested after his car ran out of fuel.
Man carjacks taxi and crashes
A 36 year-old taxi passenger threatened his driver around 9:40pm. The driver managed to get out of the vehicle and was not physically injured. The man fled in the taxi and collided with another car, causing it to career into other vehicles and knock over a traffic light. The man got out of the taxi and attempted to run from the scene, but was restrained by members of the public and an off-duty police officer. He was charged with carjacking, theft of a motor vehicle, driving in a dangerous manner and other offences.
Teen stabbed in Broadmeadows gang brawl
Emergency services were called to Central Grove, Broadmeadows after a boy was found with a stab wound around 5pm. It is alleged he was injured as a result of a brawl between two groups on Stanhope Street, moments earlier. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
On 6 November 2025, police made the following arrests and charges:
Man stabbed in Morwell home
A 31 year-old Morwell man was stabbed inside a property on McMillan Street around 10:30pm. He was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The 27 year-old alleged offender was taken into custody and has been charged. The parties are believed to have been known to each other.
Man throws rocks at police during counter-rally
On Sunday 19 October 2025, 800+ people attended a “March for Australia” rally in Melbourne CBD. The protesters gathered on the steps of Parliament House, where speeches were given, before a march to Flinders Street Station and back. The rally’s focus was opposition to “mass migration”.
A counter-rally was organised in response to the March for Australia rally. It has been described as a coalition of anti-racism/pro-immigration groups (e.g. Campaign Against Racism and Fascism) and included the slogan “No white Australia. Counter the far right.”
Police alleged that the counter protest group hurled rocks, glass bottles and rotten fruit at police. Two police officers were injured and taken to hospital on the day. A female Sergeant aged in her early 40s received a serious hand injury and a male Senior Constable aged in his 30s received a serious laceration to his leg which required stitches. The female Sergeant will require ongoing rehabilitation to strengthen and regain movement in her hand, impacting her operational capacity at work and her everyday life. Other officers were allegedly struck by projectiles with such force that their protective shields were cracked. A wand used by police to detect weapons was also stolen on the day.
Weeks later, police arrested a 24 year-old Corio man who had been seen throwing a rock at a Senior Constable. The man was out on bail at the time. He was charged with reckless conduct endangering person, assaulting police, discharging a missile, behaving in a disorderly manner and failing to answer bail. Following his arrest, he was again bailed, to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 November.
Police later released images of eight other persons of interest, the majority wearing masks and hoods.
Men with laser-printed handgun steal cars and tools
Three men, in possession of a laser-printed handgun, stole cars and gardening tools.
Woman on ice smashes front windo of house
A woman in possession of methylamphetamine smashed a front window of a house, intending to enter.
Police seize ice and ammo after car chase
Car chase through Melbourne's northern suburbs, with police seizing methylamphetamine and ammunition.
Two men stabbed in Craigeburn shopping centre brawl
During a brawl between four men outside a shopping centre, one man produced a knife and stabbed two of the other men, who were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Machete brawl between rival teen gangs in Broadmeadows Central
Two rival gangs of young men became involved in an altercation outside Broadmeadows Central shopping centre around 7:20pm on a Friday night. Police were called, but the altercation turned into a machete brawl and spilled into the shopping centre, which was transformed into a battleground.
Vision captured by shoppers shows several young men, wearing black jackets, track pants and balaclavas, taking swipes at each other with machetes – essentially engaged in a swordfight. Some shoppers said they were left terrified by the incident and had to lock themselves inside a store with staff as people clashed with bladed weapons outside. The scenes were described as "like a movie" as screams rang out from inside locked stores.
The two groups fled the scene in a silver Honda and a white Mazda before police arrived at the scene; no arrests were made on the day. There was recently-installed machete bin, from the Victorian government, 400m from the shopping centre.
Some of the gang members later shared footage of the incident from their mobile phones.
On 28 October, police arrested an 18 year-old man from Mill Park and charged him with:
Police also arrested a 17 year-old boy from the Banyule area, and charged him with:
This boy was bailed to appear at a children's court at a later date.
Taiwanese sushi chef stabbed on way to work
36 year-old Taiwanese female sushi chef Wan Lai randomly stabbed in lung on way to work.
Prominent neo-Nazi leader arrested in relation to various assaults
This incident concerns a prominent neo-Nazi – the leader of the National Socialist Network. On 02 September 2025, he was arrested outside the Magistrates' Court of Victoria at Melbourne and charged with the following 25 offences, alleged to have occurred on 09 and 31 August 2025:
The 09 August incident
Around 12:30am on Saturday 9 August 2025, a group of approximately 200 members of the Network, wearing black clothing and black face coverings, commenced a march through Melbourne's CBD. It is alleged the group were chanting slogans and carrying banners with white supremacist, anti-immigration and neo-Nazi messaging, including a banner that read "white man fight back". The offender, at the head of the protesting group, was the only person not wearing a face covering.
At approximately 12:45am, Lachlan Hawkins approached the group as they marched through the Bourke Street Mall. Hawkins stood in front of the offender and spat on the ground in his direction. It is alleged that the offender immediately retaliated by raising his fists in a fighting stance, pivoting to face Hawkins and lunging in his direction. Hawkins punched the offender in the head with his fist, before the pair traded blows. After a brief exchange, it is alleged that the offender overpowered Hawkins, forcing him to hunch over and cover his head for protection.
A witness attempted to intervene and pull Hawkins from the altercation, but was tackled to the ground by several members of the Network. Several more members of the Network joined the melee and knocked Hawkins to the ground. It is alleged that they then kicked Hawkins in the head several times, leaving him with cuts and abrasions to his face.
As a result of the incident, which was captured by CCTV cameras, Hawkins was conveyed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment. The offender was ushered away by others after his altercation with Hawkins.
The 31 August incident
On Sunday 31 August 2025, a number of planned protests were held throughout Melbourne's CBD, with the stated objective of voicing opposition to the government's immigration policies. At the same time and location, a counter-protest took place voicing opposition to the protesters' views.
A group representing the Network attended, led by the offender. He delivered a speech from the steps of Parliament on Spring Street expressing the views of the Network on immigration. After a majority of the planned protest groups had dispersed, the Network group attended a lawful encampment of First Nations people on a site known as Camp Sovereignty, located near King's Domain. The offender is alleged to have led the Network group, consisting of approximately 30 men, dressed in black.
It is alleged that the offender turned to the Network group and instructed them to run towards Camp Sovereignty. The group allegedly charged towards the camp, kicking and striking at signage. Camp Sovereignty occupants attempted to prevent damage to the signage and protect their encampment. During the initial conflict, it is alleged that Network group members attacked at least 2 Camp Sovereignty occupants. One Camp Sovereignty occupant is alleged to have been kicked by a Network member while being held down by 2 other members. Another occupant is alleged to have been attacked with a pole, and to have been kicked and punched by another 2 Network members. An observer saw this initial conflict and attempted to confront a Network member. The Network member threw the observer to the ground and punched her several times to the face and body. The victim of this alleged assault suffered a nasal facture. Another victim of the initial altercation sustained injuries that required 7 staples in her scalp.
Later in the confrontation, as the 2 groups faced each other (there may have been others involved), it is alleged that there were a number of violent outbursts directed at the Camp Sovereignty occupants from Network members. A Camp Sovereignty occupant is alleged to have been kicked by 2 members, and another occupant to have been struck in the head with a flagpole. It is alleged that, during one of these outbursts, the offender punched a Camp Sovereignty occupant, making contact with the occupant's collarbone. At the conclusion of the confrontation, with both groups standing their ground, it is alleged that 5 Network members discharged "missiles" at the Camp Sovereignty group. It is further alleged that the offender kicked a Camp Sovereignty occupant. At least 3 Camp Sovereignty occupants are said to have suffered physical injuries as a result of the alleged attack.
14 co-accused were also charged with offences arising from the events at Camp Sovereignty, each of whom were granted bail. The offender was charged for both the assaults he is alleged to have committed directly, and as the principal offender on the basis of statutory complicity for assaults alleged to have been committed by his co-accused.
The prosecution's case against the offender and his co-offenders relies, among other things, upon video footage captured at the scene of the confrontation at Camp Sovereignty and telecommunications location data to allegedly confirm the identity of those who have been charged. The prosecution alleges the Network members were the first to engage. The offender alleged the confrontation was a consequence of Camp Sovereignty having been used as a staging ground, or similar, for antagonists to launch attacks on members of the Network, or their associates, throughout the day.
At the time of these alleged August offences, the offender was already out on bail for 2 counts of intimidating a police officer and 2 counts of contravening a personal safety intervention order. (He was later convicted and sentenced in respect of those charges, on 12 September 2025). The offender has a criminal history of similar, violent offences.
The offender again successfully applied for bail in respect of the alleged August offences. In his application, he described the National Socialist Network as "a right-wing political organisation advocating, among other things, for a return to the white Australia policy." The prosecution described it as "an anti-immigration political organisation that is associated with ideologies including white supremacy and neo-Nazism", and submitted that it has a "documented history of hate crimes and violence" for which the offender has been responsible for inciting and directing its members to commit.
The offender is 32 years old, was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and came to Australia with his family in 1996. He is in a long-term relationship with his fiancée, with whom he has two young children. His role as a leader of the Network is part time, and he receives remuneration of about $1,000 per fortnight for it. He served in the Australian Defence Force between 2012 and 2014. From 2014 to 2016 he attended Swinburne University. He has worked various jobs, including in security services, hospitality, residential care, labouring and roof plumbing. A previous employer described him as "reliable, punctual and a dedicated worker who performed his tasks to a high standard".
Men shoot up BMW with people iside
Several gunshots were fired at a stolen grey BMW, injuring at least one of the occupants, a 19 year-old Clayton South man.
Teen machete brawl in Northland
Machete brawl between eight teenage members of rival gangs.
Homeless drug addict refugee commits four armed robberies in a week
Over the course of one week, the offender committed four armed robberies of retail stores in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
On 3 April 2025, he walked into Liquorland Brandon Park, grabbed four bottles of Jack Daniels and Jim Beam bourbon, worth a total value of $308, and walked out, threatening staff with a slingshot on the way.
The next day, he walked into Chemist Warehouse Glen Waverley in a hoodie, took five bottles of perfume worth a total of $239.95 and walked out. A staff member followed him out, but he ran off.
On 8 April, he walked into the same Chemist Warehouse, wearing a hoodie and a surgical face mask, and holding a slingshot. He took $99.95 worth of perfumes and walked out. This time, the same staff member confronted him, put her hand out and said "No". He threatened her with the slingshot, and she stepped aside.
On 10 April, the offender again walked into the same Chemist Warehouse wearing a hoodie and a surgical mask. He was confronted by a staff member, who he threatened with a slingshot, before grabbing two fragrances with a total value of $59.98. On the way out, he was again confronted, and again threatened the staff member with his slingshot.
The goods stolen by the offender over the course of the week had a total value of $707.88. At the time of these offences, he was already out on bail for other offences. All four incidents were captured on CCTV.
The offender was arrested one week later. In interview, he admitted to having traded the stolen goods for drugs (including heroin). He also said he didn't consider the slingshot to be a weapon, and noted that in Thailand, they are used to hunt birds.
The offender was born in Myanmar, spent most of his childhood in Thailand and moved to Australia with his mother in 2016, arriving as a refugee. He had attained permanent residency, but not yet citizenship. He did not speak English, and was illiterate in his native language, Burmese. He had been a drug user since childhood, and had been injecting methamphetamine and heroin for years. His criminal record dates back to 2018, when he was imprisoned for three months for an assault and failure to answer bail. After that, he received further brief custodial sentences for theft from shops.
The offender pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to imprisonment for a total of 2 years and 9 months, being eligible for parole after 20 months.
Five men use stolen car to ram raid luxury stores, stealing $1.2m of goods
Five men used stolen car to "ram raid" luxury stores (Burberry, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and David Jones), stealing $1.2m worth of goods.
Teen machete attack in St Kilda
The teen approached a 39 year old St Albans man walking along Barkly St around 9:15pm, demanding his car keys, before chasing him and striking him in the head with a machete, then running off empty-handed. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. In the months prior, the teen committed other violent crimes and drove at speeds of up to 220km/h in a stolen car.
Injured nurse descends into life of drugs and crime
The woman was registered as a nurse in 2012, aged 20, and started working at University Hospital Geelong. Following a workplace injury in 2018, and allegations of workplace bullying, she began using illicit drugs to self-manage; by mid-2019, her drug use had escalated, and she became involved in drug trafficking and related criminal activity.
On 18 June 2019, the woman was found passed out in a stolen car in Bell Post Hill, Geelong. Police found 23g of methylamphetamine, 7.7g of heroin, GHB and $6k in cash, along with digital scales and resealable bags. She was released on bail. The woman pleaded guilty to various offences, including theft of a motor vehicle and drug trafficking, and received a 6-month Community Corrections Order (CCO). The woman failed to notify the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, as required. However, Victoria Police made notification, and her nursing registration was suspended on 21 August 2019.
On 1 September 2020, whilst still suspended and subject to bail conditions, the woman was caught driving with a fake licence, methylamphetamine and $9k in cash. She was charged with various offences, including possessing drugs, possessing a false document and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. She was convicted and sentenced to 3 days’ imprisonment (time already served) and a 15-month CCO with conditions for drug treatment and behaviour programs.
The woman moved to Melbourne, and in November 2020, police raided her Queens Road apartment, finding 7.9g of methylamphetamine, $44k in cash, $4k in counterfeit $100 notes, an electric taser and stolen ID cards. She was granted bail pending court proceedings, with strict conditions. On 13 May 2022, she pleaded guilty to various offences in the County Court of Victoria. She was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month CCO, with drug and mental health treatment conditions, plus a $500 fine for the counterfeit money.
In the years that followed, the woman continued to breach bail and CCO conditions, traffic drugs and commit related offences.
Following referrals from the Nursing Board, VCAT made orders on 5 November 2025 reprimanding the woman, cancelling her registration as a nurse and disqualifying her from reapplying for 3 years.
Man savagely beats and stabs ex-girlfriend to death in front of her young daughters
A man broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend, Filipino mother of four Analyn Osias, by breaking a window and ripping a security door off its hinges, before dragging her from bed, savagely beating her with his fists, then stabbing her to death. He had an active Family Violence Intervention Order against him and was on bail. The victim's two primary school-aged daughters witnessed the attack and were with their mother when emergency services arrived. He received a 24-and-a-half year jail sentence (with a non-parole period of 19 years).
Indigenous man sexually assaults intellectually disabled blind girl
The offender, a 44 year old Indigenous Bendigo man, met a 16 year-old girl at Bendigo Train Station. The girl had an intellectual disability, required a support dog and lived in assisted care in Bendigo. They exchanged phone numbers, commenced texting and arranged to meet at the Southern Cross Station Hungry Jacks the following week.
After meeting, the pair walked to Batman Park and sat down together on a blanket. He kissed her on the cheek without warning. He said he wanted to have a baby with her and asked her to go to the toilet for sex, but she declined. He put a blanket over her head and asked her for sex, then proceeded to touch her breasts, put his hands inside her pants and penetrate her vagina with his finger. Throughout this, the girl repeatedly said "No", asked him to stop and said that she was uncomfortable. She recalled that she was crying at the time of penetration and that her vagina was burning. He asked her to touch his penis but she refused. The victim later reported the incident to Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at Southern Cross Station.
At the time of the incident, the offender was already on bail in relation to charges for assault and property damage. He also already had a lengthy criminal history, including theft, burglary, property damage, arson, drunk and disorderly conduct, assault, indecent assault and drug offences.
In court, the offender denied the charges and claimed to be impotent. The girl described her suffering as a result of the incident, including depression, nightmares, struggling to get out of bed and fear of leaving home.
The offender was found guilty by a jury, and senenced to 5 years' impriosnment, with a non-parole period of 2 years and 6 months.
Teenage Sudanese "Original Gangster Killers" gang members go on violent two-day crime spree, using machetes and baseball bats to menace, steal and inflict grave injury
Gun and Kent were both from South Sudanese families and affiliated with the “Original Gangster Killers” (OGK), a street gang based around the Taylors Lakes area. They were out on bail and parole for theft and violence offences.
Across two evenings, wearing masks and accompanied by other young males, Gun and Kent carried out a fast moving series of robberies and assaults using a stolen Mazda, machetes and baseball bats.
The first night began in Tarneit around 7:40 pm on 26 July 2023. Two men walking home from a Sikh temple were chased down at the corner of Frances Browne Way and Saint Lukes Road. Gun produced a baseball bat; Kent produced a machete. One victim’s phone was taken amid shouted demands for his password; when he refused, he was struck to the leg and head with the bat while the machete was brandished at close quarters, causing cuts to his hands as he tried to ward it off. Attention then turned to the second victim, who surrendered his phone, earbuds and watch under threats of stabbing and further blows. When he balked at providing banking credentials, he was slapped and struck in the knee.
Roughly ten minutes later, a single pedestrian was surrounded after both offenders and a third male spilled from a dark sedan, again armed with a machete and bats. The victim handed over two phones but was held, menaced with the machete and repeatedly struck to the legs, body and face when he faltered over his passcodes. Passing motorists slowed but drove on as the group waved weapons and yelled; the victim’s lip was cut, his ear and leg were sore, and his hand was injured.
Minutes after that, the pair entered a McDonald’s in balaclavas. Kent carried a baseball bat. Fixating on a young man at a self checkout, they demanded to know if he was a rival “Niner,” insisted he show his Instagram to prove it, and when he resisted a demand to “run your ones,” Kent struck him in the face with the bat. They left briefly to a dark Mazda 6 – later identified as stolen – then returned, grabbed the victim by the collar, threw him into the counter and, with a third male, punched, kicked and struck him with the bat while his companion screamed. As they left, one raised the bat toward her, telling her to “shut up.”
The following afternoon, 27 July 2023, the group expanded. Around 5:00 pm at The Parade in Caroline Springs, a Mazda sedan disgorged about six masked teens armed with machetes and bats. They chased down a couple riding an e scooter toward the Leisure Centre, pulling the female from the scooter by her jacket or hair and surrounding the male. Demands for his scooter and phones were punctuated by blows with a bat to his knee and head and repeated insistence that he unlock his device and provide iCloud credentials. The offenders tried, and failed, to force the scooter into the Mazda before abandoning it at the kerb.
An hour later, three boys—aged 13, 15 and 16—were set upon at the Baden Powell Reserve basketball courts in Tarneit during a sixteenth birthday game. Gun, Kent and others arrived in a dark sedan, hooded and armed. They demanded phones; a bystander who queried them was told to keep walking or be hurt. The 15 year old was struck repeatedly to the head and body, corralled, forced to retrieve his phone and open it while being hit, and stabbed in the buttock by a laughing assailant. The 16 year old had his phone smashed and shoes taken; when he tried to help his friend, he was chased down, hit in the back of the head with a metal object and, while on the ground, punched, kicked and stabbed multiple times. His injuries were grave: three stab wounds to the buttocks, a stab wound to the chest wall, three scalp lacerations—one to the bone with underlying skull injury—and catastrophic hand trauma amounting to an almost amputation of his left little finger with severed tendons, nerves and vessels, plus fractures requiring surgical repair and hardware. CCTV captured screams and calls to “stab him.” Blood pooled across the court and play area as police arrived; two victims lay on the ground awaiting treatment.
Around 7:00 pm that evening at Hungry Jack’s in Manor Lakes, Gun and Kent, masked and with three others, surrounded two 15 year olds at a table near the entrance. With one boy held down and told not to move or be hurt, both surrendered their phones, and Gun forced one to log out of iCloud before taking it. When a mother entered to collect her son, she was shoved from the premises after being told, “what do you think, I’m robbing him.” The group left in the stolen Mazda.
Police recovered the Mazda the next day in Fraser Rise; Kent’s fingerprints were inside. On 31 July 2023, a search warrant at the Weir Views address where both were staying yielded balaclavas, victim property, and cannabis (37 grams each). A parcel addressed to Gun arrived mid search containing a purchased “Z Hunter” machete. Both were arrested. The court characterised the overall spree as a cowardly rampage targeting vulnerable members of the public.
Sam Kent received a total effective sentence of 4 years and 3 months’ imprisonment, with a non parole period of 2 years and 4 months. A $500 fine was imposed for possession of a drug of dependence.
Lucus Gun received a total effective sentence of 3 years and 9 months’ imprisonment, with a non parole period of 2 years. He was fined $500 for possession of a drug of dependence.
Indigenous man carried on stolen car business
The offender was a 28 year-old Indigenous Latrobe Valley man and father of three (expecting a fourth) who lived in Newborough with his partner. He had previously worked in abattoirs, at SPC, on a poultry farm and as a casual plasterer.
On 1 February 2023, police raided his home and located:
Officers also found numerous stolen car parts, stolen registration plates and around $39k in cash. Later that day, police searched a Yarragon storage unit the man rented and found a black Holden ClubSport sedan wearing plates from a vehicle stolen in Box Hill North in January 2023. He claimed he purchased the vehicles online for $2k–$3k each and refused to provide his phone PIN. He was charged and released on bail.
Police returned on 1 March 2023 while he was still on bail. They discovered:
They also seized a wallet containing $1.2k in cash and 14 grams of methylamphetamine. He again claimed to have bought the vehicles, said the cash came from mowing lawns and refused to unlock his phone.
Nine stolen vehicles were linked to him. Insurance payouts on eight totalled $217,997.48. The ninth—an uninsured collectors’ car—had been earmarked for sale to support a victim’s autistic son, but was recovered as a stripped shell. He was again bailed yet arrested on 5 June 2024 for further alleged handling offending.
He pleaded guilty in the County Koori Court to ten indictable charges of handling stolen goods and possessing a drug of dependence, plus four summary charges including committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. On 10 October 2024, he received a 3 year and 4 month sentence with a 2 year and 1 month non-parole period. The judge described his conduct as a professional, well-organised rebirthing enterprise but noted his efforts to reconnect with his Aboriginal heritage as a positive rehabilitation step. His prior record featured burglary, theft, criminal damage and recklessly causing injury convictions.
Man on ice crashes into 75 year-old couple, causing horrific injuries and death
Around 4pm on a Saturday afternoon, police radar detected a 2003 Holden Commodore ute with fake plates doing 122kph in an 80kph zone in Kyneton. It was driven by a 39 year-old man who was unlicensed, and under the influence of both methylamphetamine (ice) and amphetamine, to the extent that he was incapable of having proper control over his vehicle. When police operated their emergency lights, he sped away, ultimately crashing into a Ford Territory driven by Colin McKimmie with his wife, Wendy McKimmie, each aged 75. They were on the way to walk their dog by the river.
Colin suffered horrific injuries, including fractured pelvis, ribs and scapula. He underwent a number of surgical operations, but was ultimately diagnosed with brain injury, developed various other conditions (including pneumonia, seizures and deep vein thrombosis), and died some seven weeks after the collision. Wendy also suffered a fractured rib, but survived.
The driver pleaded guilty in the County Court to culpable driving causing death, recklessly causing injury, possessing a drug of dependence, and other summary offences. He was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 7 years and 6 months.
He was on bail at the time of the collision, for various charges, including recklessly causing serious injury, failing to answer bail, contravening a family violence final intervention order (in favour of his mother), possessing cannabis, and possessing an imitation firearm. He also had a very young child.
The driver challenged his sentence, claiming it was “manifestly excessive”, but this application was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Man and woman force way into couple's home and menace them with fire extinguisher and knife
A woman and a man forced their way into the home of Anthony Prieto, where his girlfriend, Tayla Morgan-Carr, was also present. The woman was armed with a fire extinguisher, and the man with a knife. Various threats were made to both Mr Prieto and Ms Morgan-Carr. The man punched Mr Prieto. At one point, the woman said to her accomplice "Give me the knife I'll stab him."
The woman was out on bail at the time of this incident.
She pleaded guilty in the County Court to the following charges:
The woman was ultimately sentenced to 2 years and 1 month imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 1 year and 2 months.
Man steals woman's underwear from clothesline, then breaks into home and strokes her buttocks
The offender was granted bail on 09 February 2021 for a number of dishonesty offences.
Less than a month later, on the night of 03 March 2021, he broke into a car in Jacana, stole a wallet, and attempted to use a card from the wallet at a service station; the card was declined.
At 5am on the same night, the offender - affected by amphetamine and alcohol - climbed a locked gate to enter a residential backyard, wearing a Nike cap and a face mask. He stole a pair of underwear from the clothesline, and pocketed them. He entered the house intending to steal, and interacted with the household's "super friendly" dog. In the lounge room, he found a woman asleep on the couch, wearing only a light robe. He twice touched or stroked her lower buttock or thigh area. When she stirred, he ran away. The woman chased him into the street, where he returned the underwear and introduced himself.
When the police later searched him, he was carrying a knife.
In interview, he said he felt “aroused” when stealing, describing an adrenaline‑seeking pattern linked to drug use that had “replaced” the thrills he had previously obtained from skateboarding and surfing.
The man already had a significant criminal history, including for theft, drug offences, burglary and sexual assault.
26 year-old carpenter stabbed in heart and killed, kicked as he lay bleeding on the ground, after coming to defence of girlfriend
A 26 year-old Langwarrin man, carpenter Cameron Smith, was out for a dinner with a girlfriend, Natasha Stroumos, when they were approached by a group of people who abused and intimidated her. He came to her defence, and was stabbed in the heart and killed with a broken bottle. He was kicked by his attackers as he lay bleeding on the ground.
Psychologist doctors drug screens and persistently breaches family violence orders
A registered psychologist engaged in a series of dishonest and criminal acts between 2015 and 2019, primarily stemming from a contentious relationship breakdown and illicit drug use.
In 2015 and again in 2018, he falsified urinary drug screen results required for family court proceedings. He used "cut and paste" methods to alter positive methamphetamine results to appear negative, subsequently filing a false affidavit in the Federal Circuit Court to conceal his ongoing drug habit.
In addition to this calculated dishonesty, he was found guilty of numerous breaches of family violence intervention orders, for sending unauthorized emails and texts to a former partner. He was also found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon (a knife found in his backpack) on court premises and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Despite these legal proceedings, the man failed to notify the Psychology Board of Australia within seven days of being charged or found guilty, as required by law.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) found his actions constituted professional misconduct. He was reprimanded, his registration was suspended for six months, and he was ordered to undergo 18 months of professional supervision focusing on family violence, substance abuse, and ethics.
Comanchero gang leader directs drug trafficking, arson, and shootings while on bail
A patched member of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and leader of the "Last Kings," directed a sophisticated criminal enterprise involving massive drug distribution and violent enforcement. Between October 2016 and March 2017, he orchestrated a large-scale trafficking operation involving over 5.5kg of methylamphetamine (valued at $1.2 million) and 1.68kg of cocaine. His activities included a conspiracy to burn down the Kittens Gentlemen’s Club in South Melbourne, which he believed was owned by rivals. In November 2016, he directed associates to enforce a debt at a residential property in Doreen; when the initial plan to assault the victim failed, he escalated the plot by arranging for the property to be "sprayed" with bullets from a handgun, telling his associate to "enjoy the adrenaline rush".
In addition to his gang activities, the man engaged in domestic violence, threatening to kill a romantic partner and her family after boasting to his sister that he had punched the woman in the head "as hard as he could". A police search of his home uncovered a ballistic vest, handgun ammunition, and a machete with a personal engraving.
He was charged with 18 offences, including:
The offender was out on bail for other matters throughout the duration of these offences. He was sentenced to a total effective sentence of 18 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13 years and 9 months.