https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-ac ... e63704bbefAustralians are being warned to be careful when leaving their homes empty during the holiday period after police arrested eight members of an alleged transnational crime syndicate from Chile.
In just a few short months about $1.2 million worth of goods were allegedly stolen from homes in some of Sydney’s most affluent suburbs and shoplifted from designer stores after members of the group entered Australia via tourist visas.
NSW Police allege that a criminal syndicate with origins from South America coordinated the sophisticated “fly-in and fly-out” crime.
So far eight people have been arrested and they are all Chilean nationals. Police believe there may still be others in Sydney or other Australian cities. It’s also possible the syndicate has travelled to Victoria, ACT and Queensland.
Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said they were tipped off about the possible presence of the syndicate in Australia by Canadian authorities, where 14 people have been arrested in Toronto for $2.5 million worth of theft. The group has also been involved in crimes in America and South America.
Strike Force Merengue was formed in November to look into the syndicate and police arrested five men and three women after investigating 80 aggravated break-ins across Sydney throughout September and October.
In scenes reminiscent of the Sofia Coppola movie The Bling Ring, the alleged thieves, many aged in their early 20s, targeted Sydney homes in affluent suburbs like Vaucluse, Rose Bay, Five Dock and Castle Hill. It’s alleged the items and cash were then shipped overseas.
Det Supt Doherty said police believe groups of two or three people worked together to perform the break and enters.
It’s believed others in Sydney are facilitating the network and supporting its activities. Alleged members have also been arrested in Victoria and it’s also possible people have moved to other areas of Australia. Crimes may also have been committed along the east coast including in the ACT and Queensland.
Don't we have enough crims welcomed here without now letting them fly in and fly out?
