Detectives bust alleged Melton car theft racket

Melton Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man and a woman following an extensive investigation into an alleged car theft racket in the Melton area.

The charges followed a series of incidents where Gen-F Holden Special Vehicles (HSV’s) were allegedly stolen, stripped and sold for parts in Melton and surrounding areas.

Detectives allege the thefts included an incident where a man parked his HSV Maloo utility, in a shopping centre carpark on High Street in Melton West, on Friday 13 March.

The vehicle was allegedly stolen within half an hour.

Investigators executed search warrants on a commercial premises on Derrimut Drive in Derrimut and a residential address in Brookfield over the weekend.

Detectives recovered a HSV Maloo utility from the Derrimut property, alleged to be the same vehicle stolen on Friday.

The Maloo had not been stripped.

A 23-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested at the Brookfield address.

The Brookfield man was charged with 12 offences including seven counts of theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods and deal with proceeds of crime.

He is remanded in custody to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court today.

The Brookfield woman was charged with handle stolen goods, deal with proceeds of crime and other offences.

She was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 10 July.

Acting Sergeant Paul Hogan

Media Unit

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