Suspected Leaders of Child Network Arrested Following $2 Million Theft
Police have uncovered a child network responsible for stealing over $2 million worth of cash and cigarettes in Melbourne to avoid involving adults in criminal activities.
After a lengthy investigation, Victoria Police announced the arrest of four men, with children as young as 12 said to be recruited into the network.
It is alleged that more than 20 children, with the oldest being 17, were involved in over 140 cigarette burglaries and armed robberies in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs since January.
The children targeted service stations, supermarkets, and tobacconists, resulting in a cumulative haul worth over $2 million.
Acting Inspector Dale Maxwell stated that these children were lured into stealing millions of dollars’ worth of goods and money from various establishments.
Adults recruited children as young as 12 to commit these crimes, profiting substantially while avoiding direct involvement.
Police identified a well-organized network of child offenders carrying out serious and violent crimes on behalf of adults.
The arrests included two 19-year-old men alleged to have recruited the children in targeting various suburbs.
Officers seized cigarettes, cash, cannabis plants, and weapons during their investigations and executed multiple search warrants.
A total of 38 people were arrested in connection with the burglaries, including children as young as 15.
