Authorities in Melbourne have dismantled an organized crime syndicate allegedly responsible for a series of commercial burglaries targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and collector card stores. The police operation, led by the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, resulted in the arrest of four individuals suspected of involvement in these thefts.

The syndicate is accused of stealing at least six Bitcoin ATMs from businesses in Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee, and Vermont, as well as orchestrating a string of burglaries at collector card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds, and Eumemmerring since mid-January. Police believe the group used stolen vehicles to commit these crimes.

As part of the investigation, authorities executed multiple search warrants across Melbourne, raiding locations in Reservoir, Coburg North, Greensborough, and South Morang. 

During the searches, police uncovered a large stash of stolen goods, which included approximately $50,000 worth of collectible trading cards from brands such as Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL, and NBA. 

Officers also recovered five stolen firearms, ammunition, approximately 100 stolen car keys, a pill press machine used for illicit drug manufacturing, and a collection of stolen power tools.

Authorities described the discovery as an "Aladdin’s cave" of stolen property, with Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson crediting the efforts of the trading card community and industry partners for assisting in the bust.

Two alleged ringleaders were charged in connection with the burglaries. A 37-year-old man from Reservoir faces 14 counts of burglary, firearm possession, and handling stolen goods. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 2. 

A 32-year-old man from Epping was also charged with multiple counts of commercial burglary, vehicle theft, unlicensed driving, and drug possession. His court hearing is set for February 21.

Two additional suspects, aged 33 and 46, were questioned and later released pending further investigation.

Detective Inspector Watkinson emphasized that the arrests were part of a broader effort to disrupt organized crime operations in Melbourne. Authorities believe the suspects had ties to Middle Eastern crime syndicates, which allegedly coordinated these burglaries through lower-level offenders.

“Our focus continues to be on bringing the suppliers to justice, while intensifying efforts on impacting the illicit lifestyles of those involved in organized crime,” said Watkinson. He warned crime syndicates that authorities are actively working to seize their illicit wealth and dismantle their networks.

Police are urging anyone with information related to stolen firearms or drug trafficking to contact Crime Stoppers.