A scrap metal business has been shut down and another five people have been arrested as police probe a spate of copper heists worth more than $780,000.
Officers say the five people were part of an organised crime syndicate behind more than 50 large-scale copper thefts in Melbourne's north between January and June.
Syndicate members allegedly used portable power tools to cut through cabling in telecommunications infrastructure to steal large amounts of the valuable metal.
The thefts caused significant disruption to telco services and damaged infrastructure.
Eleven people have now been arrested as part of the investigation including: a 41-year-old Reservoir man charged with theft and bailed to front Heidelberg Magistrates Court on December 15, a 41-year-old Harkness man and a 20-year-old Reservoir man charged on summons, as well as another two men who were released and are expected to be charged on summons.
Detectives from Victoria Police's northwest metro regional crime squad were also granted a November 3 application to shut down a scrap metal business in Reservoir, which allegedly received more than $260,000 in stolen copper.
A Heidelberg magistrate granted an order to close the business for two years on the basis it was not registered as a second-hand dealer.
The business owner - a 58-year-old Cottles Bridge man - will face Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 1 charged with 10 counts of handling stolen goods, 10 counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and two counts of possessing the suspected proceeds of crime.
He was also charged with additional offences under second-hand dealers legislation.
Victoria Police Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said the business owner's arrest showed people who bought stolen goods risked their livelihoods.
"We can put a real dent in the illegal scrap metal trade by limiting the ability for would-be thieves to dispose of stolen goods and make money from it," Det Insp Watkinson said.
"We hope this sends a clear message to second hand dealers that are tempted by the lure of quick money."
The five people were arrested between June and November after police previously announced they arrested six people following search warrants in June.
The people arrested in those raids included a 43-year-old Bundoora man, who will appear in court on December 1, accused of stealing $215,000 worth of copper.
Police said they seized about $95,000 worth of copper during the June raids.
Australian Associated Press
