Arrests made after $90,000 supermarket theft spree linked to South Melbourne unit

Victoria Police have charged three people over a spree of supermarket thefts across Melbourne, after a raid on a South Melbourne apartment uncovered an imitation firearm, stolen clothing and a record book allegedly documenting on-sales.

Bayside Uniform police executed a search warrant at a Park St apartment complex on the morning of August 26, arresting a 33-year-old woman. She has since been charged with 54 counts of shop stealing, possessing an imitation firearm, and committing an indictable offence while on bail. She was bailed to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 23.

Two men aged 45 and 48, both from South Melbourne, were also charged while already on remand for unrelated matters. The 45-year-old faces 49 counts of shop stealing and additional charges including making threats to kill, unlawful assault and being a prohibited person in possession of an imitation firearm.

The 48-year-old was charged with 36 counts of shop stealing, as well as possessing an imitation firearm and committing an indictable offence on bail. They are both due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on November 28.

Police allege the trio were responsible for 66 thefts between January and July this year, targeting supermarkets across suburbs including Docklands, Port Melbourne, Southbank, St Kilda, Toorak and the Melbourne CBD.

Goods valued at more than $90,000 were stolen, including $28,000 worth of clothing and underwear, $10,000 in razor blades, $9000 in alcohol, $4000 in cologne, as well as baby formula, cosmetics, groceries and electric toothbrushes.

In one incident in July, the 45-year-old allegedly threatened a staff member with a box cutter after stealing $4000 worth of goods from a Brighton store.

Sergeant Shosh Lew of Bayside Uniform Police said retail theft was far from a victimless crime.

“When stores lose money and goods to thieves, those costs can result in higher prices at the checkout for the rest of us,” he said.

“This investigation shows how smaller thefts can quickly add up, and why it’s so important for businesses to report incidents.”

Police believe 57 of the thefts would have gone unreported if not for a constable linking the pattern of offences. Detectives are now sharing intelligence across the state as part of a broader crackdown on retail theft syndicates.