Police have arrested five men in Melbourne’s south-east over a string of ram raids at luxury stores in which an estimated $1.2 million worth of items was stolen.
Investigators searched six properties and storage units in Cranbourne, Dandenong and Springvale on Tuesday following break-ins at CBD stores in Collins Street on March 6 and 21 and April 8 and 16, as well as Bourke Street on April 6 and Mt Alexander Road, Essendon on April 16.
Stores targeted include Burberry, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and David Jones.
A Burberry store in Collins Street, ram raided on Wednesday April 16, is among the stores targeted. (ABC News: Billy Draper)
Detectives seized luxury handbags, stolen vehicles, drugs and jewellery and arrested the men, three of whom will face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The men — a 21-year-old and two 31-year-olds — have been charged with an array of offences such as vehicle theft, drug possession, burglary, criminal damage and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A fourth man, aged 30 from Springvale, has been charged with vehicle theft, drug possession and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He is scheduled to face court on August 5.
A fifth man, also aged 30, has been released pending summons.
Police say their investigation is ongoing and are urging witnesses or anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage of the ram raids to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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