A man and a woman from India are among a suspected gang of seven pickpockets charged over allegedly targeting shoppers and public transport users in Melbourne CBD over the last two months.
Detectives from the Melbourne Tasking Unit have charged the alleged gang members over the last week with theft-related offences.
“Operation Galeforce was an investigation led by the MTU along with our counterparts in Transit Safety Division,” Sergeant Chris O’Brien said.
“We investigated a series of organised and often opportunistic pickpocketing and thefts which were occurring for approximately two months across the city, in shopping precincts and on trams and trains.
Five Sri Lankan nationals – two women and three men, aged 26-38 – have been charged along with a 25-year-old Indian woman and a 35-year-old Indian man.
“Rest assured Victoria Police takes this type of offending seriously, and our message to anyone out there looking to prey on those going about their everyday business is that you will be arrested and held to account,” Sergeant O’Brien said.
Police arrested four suspected gang members after executing warrants in Sunshine and Tarneit in Melbourne’s west on Thursday. They were charged and bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 April.
The other three were arrested on 7 January from Albion and were charged the following day. They were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 14 April.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Melissa Seach told radio station 3AW that the Australian Border force “may look at” deporting them.
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