Police made five arrests, seized illicit drugs and weapons and impounded a car belonging to a learner driver during a public safety operation in Footscray last week.
Uniform police supported by the public order response team, dog squad, mounted branch, highway patrol and the Sheriff’s office, conducted the Omni operation in the Footscray CBD on Friday, June 25.
Omni operations provide police with additional powers to search for weapons within a designated area.
Among those arrested was a 35-year-old Footscray woman who had failed to appear at court for burglary and criminal damage offences. She was later remanded for failing to appear at court while on bail.
A 22 year-old from Donnybrook, a 21 year -old from Cheltenham, a 26 year-old from Springvale South and a 24 year-old from Weir Views were charged with theft and drug possession offences.
The Sheriff’s Office collected more than $26,000 in unpaid fines and wheel clamped six vehicles which had outstanding warrants against them.
Police also impounded the vehicle of a learner driver who was driving unaccompanied and unregistered; located a missing young person and returned them home; served an intervention order; and issued two cautions for cannabis possession.
Maribyrnong Inspector Paul Morgan said improving safety and amenity required a multi-faceted approach.
“From a policing perspective we brought in a range of specialist resources to ensure we were targeting crime from all angles,” Inspector Morgan said.
“We know this all-in approach to safety has an impact, so we’ll continue to work with our local partners and run similar initiatives on top of daily patrols.”
