Almost 70 people were arrested during a month-long operation targeting serious and violent crime in the western suburbs.
Operation Cavalcade saw local police team up with a range of specialist police – including the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch and Transit police – to saturate hot spot areas in Brimbank and Melton and put repeat offenders on notice.
Officers honed in on busy community locations including Watergardens and Woodgrove shopping centres, as well as parks and train stations such as Sunshine, Melton and St Albans.
68 people were arrested across May including:
• Three teens, aged 15, 16 and 17, who were arrested in a vehicle which had allegedly been stolen during a carjacking Williams Landing on 30 May. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle in Melton, but it allegedly failed to stop and sped off. The Air Wing followed from above before officers on the ground successfully deployed stop sticks in Hillside. The vehicle pulled into a shopping centre carpark in Taylors Lakes and three teens were arrested shortly after. Police also located a machete which they allege had earlier been discarded from the vehicle. All were charged and remanded to appear before a children’s court at a later date.
• Two men aged 21 and 23, who were arrested after allegedly attempting to steal cash from a person using an ATM at a Melton West shopping centre on 23 May. Patrolling officers arrested the pair shortly after the incident. Both were charged with attempted robbery, affray and assault causing injury. They were bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 22 August.
• Two 21-year-old men who were arrested after a vehicle allegedly failed to stop for police in Hillside on 16 May and ran a red light. Officers deployed stop sticks and the vehicle subsequently pulled over outside a Kings Park address. One man was arrested inside a residential address, and the second man, who allegedly fled on foot, was arrested by the Dog Squad shortly after. Police later located a knife and drugs in the vehicle. The men were charged with a range of offences including reckless conduct endangering life, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, and possessing weapons and drugs. They were remanded to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 14 June.
• Two 16-year-old boys who were arrested after allegedly stealing a knife from a retail store in Melton West on 7 May. Officers patrolled the shopping centre and arrested the pair at a nearby bus stop. They were charged with theft, possessing a controlled weapon and possessing cannabis and bailed to appear before a children’s court at a later date.
The local Offender Management Team also carried out a range of proactive enforcement activities to ensure accountability of known offenders, including conducting bail compliance checks, firearm prohibition order compliance checks and executing outstanding warrants.
During the operation, police intercepted 385 vehicles and impounded six for traffic-related offences.
58 penalty notices were also issued for a range of offences including speeding, drunk driving, unlicensed driving, and not wearing seatbelts.
Part two of Operation Cavalcade will commence on Sunday 30 June and run for five weeks.
Quotes attributable to Brimbank Tasking and Coordination Acting Inspector Scott Williams:
“Over the last month we’ve had officers from the Public Order Response Team and Transit division dedicated to Brimbank and Melton areas every day of the week.
“Shopping centres and train stations have been a key focus.
“Together, we’ve been able to put a real dent in criminal activity by keeping those with links to serious and violent crime accountable.
“Rest assured, this strong presence will continue.
“Anyone who thinks they can cause serious harm in our community can expect to see a significant police presence waiting for them.”
