Police have charged two men in relation to an alleged spate of shop thefts across Victoria this month.
Police will allege the pair were involved in a series of thefts spanning from suburbs of Melbourne to regional towns such as Colac, Echuca and Wodonga.
The pair have allegedly stolen $17,000 worth of goods across an 11 day period.
It is alleged the pair are part of a larger organised retail crime syndicate involving up to 20 people, where retail items including baby formula, vitamins, dental products, cosmetics and medicine are stolen to order.
Police allege that the syndicate trade stolen goods for drugs.
Police attempted an arrest of the two men however they evaded police in Keilor Downs on 13 June.
As a result of working closely with retail partners, the Fawkner Crime Reduction Team then successfully arrested the pair in St Albans on 19 June.
A 25-year-old Deer Park man was charged with fail to stop vehicle on police direction and shop theft.
He was bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 17 October.
A 26-year-old Deer Park man was charged with theft, handle stolen goods and possess heroin.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 15 July.
Police will continue to focus on disrupting organised groups that are profiting off the sale of stolen items from businesses across Victoria.
Any information relating to organised retail crime syndicate activity, we encourage to be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
