Local police have been out in force over the school holidays, executing Operation Plymouth.
42 people were arrested for theft across the CBD, alongside 14 people for other crime related offences.
Victoria Police have provided the following examples of charges laid during the operation:
- A 34-year-old woman, also wanted on warrant, was charged for an alleged theft from a major shopping centre totally $118.
- A 45-year-old Whittington man was charged with theft and going equipped to steal after he was arrested at a major shopping centre.
- A 49-year-old man from Geelong West was charged after allegedly stealing close to $400 dollars in retail items from a major shopping centre.
- A 30-year-old Charlemont man was released and is expected to be charged on summons with resisting police, theft, and possession of illicit substance, arrested after allegedly stealing items from a retailer in the CBD.
- A 27-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, both from Bendigo, have been charged with with theft and possession of amphetamine after allegedly stealing $4000 in items from Myer.
Local police also dished out 26 road safety infringements, most on roads heading in and out of the CBD.
During the operation, a 25-year-old Mooroopna man was issued a $657 infringement and a six-month license suspension after he was caught allegedly travelling 41km/h over the speed limit.
Local officers also ran OMNI operations across Geelong, Waurn Ponds, and Corio, giving them additional search powers for weapons in designated areas.
132 people and 33 vehicles were searched across Geelong’s CBD during this time, with five arrests made- three receiving warnings for possessing small edged weapons and two for possessing illicit drugs.
A 17 year-old-boy was charged and bailed after an alleged shop theft in Waurn Ponds, police also seizing an edged weapon and a dagger.
In Corio, a man was charged after police seized an edged weapon and a substance believed to be 1,4-Butanediol.
Geelong Local Area Commander Inspector Clare Murphy said the CBD is at it’s busiest during school holidays.
“Importantly, throughout the operation no violent or serious crimes were detected in the CBD. That’s a really positive outcome and should give confidence to the community that police are out in force, working hard to
keep Geelong safe.”
“This operation was about more than enforcement – it was about being highly visible, regularly patrolling the CBD and engaging directly with the community. Our officers were out on foot, and in marked vehicles, speaking with locals and making sure people felt safe.”
While people may think retail theft is a victimless crime, it directly affects local traders in Geelong. That’s why we are working side by side with retailers to crack down on anyone trying to steal. These arrests send a strong message that police will not tolerate this behaviour.”
