Three Irish men have been arrested following a string of “sophisticated” alleged home burglaries across Melbourne.
The three Irish nationals, aged 25, 24 and 19, have allegedly carried out over 60 home burglaries across Melbourne’s east, in Blackburn, Doncaster, Narre Warren, Hampton Park Narre Warren and Templestowe, since January.
The trio, who only just arrived in Australia in the last six months, allegedly stole over $1 million of property, including cash, jewellery and designer handbags.
“The majority of these offences occurred while the occupants were away from their homes,” police said in a statement.
“After breaking into homes, the trio allegedly used cleaning products in an attempt to cover their tracks.”
The three men, who don’t have a fixed address, were arrested at a hotel near Melbourne Airport on Thursday morning.
Footage shared by Victoria Police, show three men – two of whom dressed in hoodies – being escorted into what appear to be three different vehicles.
The trio were charged with numerous counts of aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, burglary, and theft from a motor vehicle.
All three were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday.
“Your home should be your sanctuary – Victoria Police simply will not stand for anyone who seeks to enter someone else’s home and takes what’s not theirs,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Brendon Pollock
“We will continue to target serious and organised crime groups, no matter where they’re from.”
The arrests came after three other Irish men were arrested on March 18 in connection to home burglaries in Sunshine and Mill Park between January and March this year.
$380,000 of cash and designer jewellery were recovered by police after they were allegedly stolen from the two properties.
Police allege the men, aged 35, 28, and 21, are part of the same foreign crime syndicate as the other trio.
The three men were charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage, aggravated home invasion and false imprisonment.
They were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court in June.
Investigations into whether both groups are linked to any other unsolved burglaries remain ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.