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Charged with stealing over $10m worth of medicines, baby formula, toiletries
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Victoria Police crackdown on organised retail theft syndicate targeting supermarkets
Melbourne Police have arrested 19 people allegedly linked to a large-scale theft syndicate accused of stealing more than $10 million worth of retail goods from supermarkets across the city. The stolen items reportedly included medicines, baby formula, vitamins, toiletries, skincare products, and electric toothbrushes, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The syndicate, uncovered under Operation Supanova by the Box Hill Divisional Response Unit, is accused of targeting major supermarket retailers over the past five months. Stolen products were allegedly funnelled through a network of “receivers” who resold them for profit.
Most of the arrested are Indian nationals on temporary, student, and bridging visas, Victoria Police confirmed
Victoria Police confirmed several key arrests, including:
- A 43-year-old man accused of stealing $88,000 worth of goods, remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on August 20.
- A 35-year-old man charged with theft of $90,000 worth of items, set to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates Court on August 18.
- Multiple student and bridging visa holders aged between 21 and 26, accused of stealing between $37,000 and $136,000 worth of items, facing dozens of theft charges and multiple upcoming court appearances.
- A 54-year-old Springvale woman, arrested as an alleged receiver, charged with 30 counts of handling stolen goods after $25,000 worth of items were recovered from her residence.
Investigations remain ongoing, with police expecting more arrests. Authorities are working closely with major retailers and the Australian Border Force, which has been notified about offenders on temporary visas.
Retail theft has become one of Victoria’s fastest-growing crimes, with 41,270 offences reported in the past year alone—a 38% increase statewide. Police say the crackdown on organised theft groups aims to curb the rising trend of large-scale shoplifting and resale networks.
