Two 19-year-old men from Taylors Hill have been arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation into a series of organised crime-related incidents across Brimbank and Melton.
On Wednesday 4 February, detectives executed four search warrants at properties in Melbourne’s north-west, including Broadmeadows, Roxburgh Park and Taylors Hill.
Along with the two Taylors Hill men, police arrested an 18-year-old man from Roxburgh Park, an 18-year-old man from Broadmeadows and a 17-year-old boy from the Moreland area.
Police will allege the five have been linked to targeted home invasions, arson, attempted arson and firearms incidents since 7 January, where offenders have targeted the victims, their property and family members.
Investigators believe these incidents have been directed by an offshore crime figure.
They are alleged to be linked to an incident about 12.45am on 7 January, when five offenders attended a home on Flinders Place, Caroline Springs.
The occupants were not home, and the victims later received a threatening phone call demanding a large sum of money, according to police.
On 9 January, two unknown people attended a property on Lucas Terrace, Taylors Hill, attempting to set fire to the exterior before fleeing. Later that morning, a number of shots were fired outside the Caroline Springs property, striking a neighbouring home. No one was injured.
At 1am on 10 January, two unknown offenders returned to the Lucas Terrace address, forcing entry and setting a number of items inside the home alight.
At 3.45am the same morning, three offenders armed with machetes and a hammer forced entry into a property on Carfin Circuit, Thornhill Park.
The occupants barricaded themselves inside a room and the offenders left empty-handed.
On 12 January at 3.40am, the 17-year-old male sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound to the upper body while exiting his vehicle on Connor Road, Burnside Heights.
He was taken to hospital under police guard.
Most recently, on 2 February, shots were fired into the front of a property on Penshurst Court, Hillside. No one was injured.
All five remain in custody and will be interviewed in relation to the incidents.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
