A Footscray man is accused of stealing alcohol more than 300 times from 21 different bottle shops in the past year.
The 24-year-old Mathiang Machol has been charged with hundreds of shop stealing offences as well as assault, recklessly causing injury, affray, and being a public nuisance after being arrested by police in the Melbourne CBD yesterday.
He appeared before the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court last night and was remanded to reappear on July 9.
Officers from the bicycle patrol unit were called to Swanston Street near the QV building about noon on Wednesday, July 2 after reports of an intoxicated man allegedly assaulting people.
Mr Machol attempted to flee the scene once police arrived, but was chased down and apprehended.
Police then learnt he had earlier been involved in the alleged theft of alcohol from a bottle shop near Southern Cross Railway Station, leading them to uncover hundreds of similar incidents at bottle shops in the city centre during the last 12 months.
It’s estimated Mr Machol stole more than $30,000 worth of alcohol in these incidents and is believed to have sometimes targeted the same bottle shop multiple times in a single day.
Melbourne West Bicycle Patrol Unit Sergeant Joseph Ianzano said Mr Machol’s alleged offending was serious.
“Retail theft is not a victimless crime and Victoria Police is dedicated to identifying those involved in this type of offending and holding them to account for their actions,” Sergeant Ianzano said.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
