Operation Ghost Nets 10 Arrests and Recovers Three Stolen Vehicles in Car Theft Crackdown
Police have arrested 10 individuals and confiscated three stolen vehicles during a recent operation targeting car theft in the Brimbank area.
Known as “Operation Ghost,” the three-night operation took place last weekend and specifically targeted criminals who break into and steal cars. Police focused on shopping centre and railway station parking lots in Sunshine, St Albans, and Taylors Lakes, as well as residential areas.
The operation was based on intelligence that revealed thieves often target public parking areas and will try multiple cars until they find one that is unlocked or has valuable items inside. Through targeted patrols, police aimed to deter these types of offenses and were successful in locating three unoccupied stolen vehicles in Deer Park and St Albans carparks.
During the operation, 10 people were arrested, including a 37-year-old man from Footscray who was caught driving erratically on Ballarat Road in Sunshine at 3:30 am on October 11th. A search of his vehicle uncovered an extendable baton, methylamphetamine, cannabis, and prescription medication.
In addition, a 66-year-old man from Sunshine West was arrested during a search warrant in Caroline Springs on October 11th. Police found trafficable quantities of methylamphetamine and heroin at the address. The man was charged with drug trafficking and bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on January 23rd.
A 25-year-old man from Sunshine West was also arrested at the same address for an outstanding warrant. Furthermore, a 34-year-old man from Essendon was arrested in St Albans on October 12th for outstanding theft-related offences valued at $120,000. Police also arrested a 25-year-old man from Tarneit for driving with stolen number plates in the St Albans area on October 12th. A subsequent search of the man revealed he was also in possession of heroin.
Over the course of the weekend, more than 600 vehicles were checked, with two cars impounded for speed-related offences. Additionally, police executed 15 outstanding warrants during Operation Ghost.
Brimbank Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne commented on the success of the operation, stating, “Vehicle crime is a huge priority for us in Brimbank. Every week we arrest offenders and recover stolen vehicles. Vehicle theft is often opportunistic. In fact, we know offenders actively target unlocked vehicles. The best thing the community can do to prevent thefts is to ensure their cars are locked at all times and valuables removed from plain sight.”
Operation Ghost took place in the Brimbank area between October 10th and 12th, with the goal of reducing car theft in the community.
