UPDATE: police have charged 10 people after executing warrants across Melbourne today, as part of a major operation targeting graffiti vandals.
More than 700 charges have been laid against the alleged offenders.
A 22-year-old Truganina man has been charged with 295 counts of graffiti-related offences including conduct endangering life, criminal damage, burglary, possess with the intent to damage and trespass.
A 21-year-old Yarraville man has been charged with 121 counts of graffiti-related offences including conduct endangering life, criminal damage, burglary, possess with the intent to damage and trespass.
Another five people – a 23-year-old Truganina man, a 20-year-old Altona man, a 20-year-old South Kingsville man, a 30-year-old Seaford man and a 31-year-old West Footscray man – have been charged with more than 300 of counts of graffiti-related offences collectively including criminal damage, possess with the intent to damage and trespass.
All have been bailed to appear at court at a later date.
Police said that a 30-year old Tarneit man, a 20-year-old Altona Meadows man and a 46-year-old South Kingsville woman would also be charged on summons.
Police made the arrests early this morning, while carrying out warrants at properties in Truganina, Yarraville, Altona, Tarneit, Seaford, Brunswick and West Footscray, as part of an operation codenamed “Samurai”.
A number of items were seized from the properties including two cars, a number of cannabis plants, quantities of ecstasy and ice, cash, laptops, phones, memory cards and hard drives.
Police also seized allegedly stolen goods worth of excess of $100,000.
Arson and explosives experts attended a property in Yarraville after explosive devices were allegedly located inside one of the vehicles.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Gustke said these results showed Victoria Police’s dedication to holding graffiti vandals to account.
“We’ve seen horrific injuries and even deaths as a result of the risky behaviour people engage it to commit these offences so we take it extremely seriously,” A/Supt Gustke said.
“This type of offending is often a gateway crime to much more serious offending where we see young people becoming embedded in a culture of crime.”
Commuters are encouraged to report crime or suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
