News / Crime
Serial shop thief nabbed in Brunswick police operation
Second major effort this year targeting crime in local retail precincts
Brunswick Voice
Thursday, April 23, 2026
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A major police operation in Brunswick has resulted in 10 arrests including a man wanted for 25 thefts from retail stores over the past year.
The four-day effort, called Operation Midday, targeted shops in Coburg and Brunswick including Barkly Square.
It is the second major blitz by police of the two retail precincts this year.
Operation Midday involved police working with retail loss prevention officers and security staff in a co-ordinated effort to target people stealing from local stores and prevent other crime from April 13 to 16.
Ten people were arrested for theft, obtaining financial advantage by deception and drug possession, and another 20 outstanding warrants and six whereabouts were cleared.
Among the arrests was a man allegedly stealing from a Barkly Square supermarket on April 14.
The man, a 44-year-old from Caulfield, was subsequently charged with more than 20 shop thefts alleged to have occurred over the last 12 months. He was remanded in custody to appear at court on May 22.
Police said part of the operation’s focus was to also deter people away from shop stealing and assist in finding longer term solutions so the behaviour isn’t repeated.
Two people were offered referrals to support services for assistance with groceries to help curb the chances of reoffending.
Operation Midday has been running sporadically throughout the year across Merri-bek, focusing on disrupting and deterring retail theft.
According to official crime statistics, stealing from a retail store is the fifth most common offence in Merri-bek, with 762 offences recorded over the last year.
In that period, Brunswick recorded 269 retail offences and Coburg had 173.
Merri-bek Local Area Commander, Inspector Tim Jacobs, said police would continue to mount operations against retail theft.
“Retail theft is certainly not a victimless crime, with staff and bystanders experiencing aggression and intimidation during these incidents,” he said in a written statement.
“We are very focused on ensuring our local retailers are safe, and ensuring these are safe places for people to visit.
“Operations like this will continue to prevent retail theft from occurring in the first place, and allow us to respond quickly to apprehend thieves.”
Last week’s was the second major operation of this type in Brunswick and Coburg this year.
A four-day operation in late-January resulted in 24 arrests, including a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly in possession of a machete.
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