Police dismantle Melbourne crime syndicate behind crypto ATM and collectible card store burglaries, seizing stolen goods and firearms.
Police in Melbourne have successfully dismantled a crime syndicate believed to be behind a series of burglaries targeting crypto ATMs and collectible card stores. Detectives from North West Metro Regional Crime Squad made four arrests during the past week targeting the criminal activities that affected various locations throughout Melbourne’s northwestern districts.
The organized gang has stolen cryptocurrency ATMs while also targeting multiple collectible card stores through burglary activities from the beginning of January. Businesses in Hoppers Crossing along with Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee and Vermont, and Bentleigh became targets when the ATMs were stolen. The criminal group allegedly conducted attacks against three collector card stores that operated in Epping together with Moonee Ponds and Eumemmerring.
Police Seize Stolen Goods, Including Crypto ATM and Firearms in Melbourne Raids
The criminal investigations team believes thieves performed their illegal operations with stolen motor vehicles. Authorities collected many stolen items while investigating the case. The stolen items included trading cards worth about $50,000 which included Pokemon alongside Yu-Gi-Oh, NBA along Magic the Gathering. The raided locations revealed stolen firearms as well as missing car keys among the stolen items.
The Australian authorities created a special task force in December 2024 to investigate cryptocurrency anti-money laundering violations. AUSTRAC leads the task force that focuses its operations on crypto ATM illicit activities.
Police executed warrants to search multiple locations within the Melbourne area at Reservoir and Coburg North, as well as Greensborough and South Morang. Police apprehended four suspects, where two main offenders consisted of a 37-year-old Reservoir resident alongside a 32-year-old Epping resident.
A 37-year-old male offender faces several criminal charges, including burglary with firearm possession, and will appear before the court on May 2. Formal court proceedings await the 32-year-old defendant on February 21 due to his charges of burglary together with theft and drug possession.
Two suspects, including a 33-year-old and a 46-year-old were arrested for investigation, although they received release ahead of the investigation outcome. The authorities ask people to contact Crime Stoppers with any details regarding drug or firearm trafficking activities.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson praised the achievements of the operation during his remarks while acknowledging the valuable contributions of trading card enthusiasts along with their industry partners. He emphasized the ongoing focus on dismantling organized crime syndicates operating across Melbourne.
