A trio of Irish tourists have been charged with a spate of "sophisticated" burglaries after allegedly stealing $1 million in cash, jewellery and designer handbags.
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The group has been in Australia for less than six months and has allegedly robbed more than 60 homes in Melbourne suburbs including Blackburn, Doncaster, Narre Warren, Hampton Park and Templestowe.
Cleaning products were allegedly used to "cover their tracks" after the trio broke into homes while residents were out.
Detective senior sergeant Brendon Pollock said police were targeting organised crime groups that were planning and executing coordinated thefts.
"Your home should be your sanctuary - Victoria Police simply will not stand for anyone who seeks to enter someone else's home and takes what's not theirs," he said.
The men, aged 19, 24 and 25, were arrested at a hotel near Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport on May 2 and charged with aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, burglary, and theft from motor vehicle.
They were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 3.
Police suspect international criminal syndicate
These were not the first arrests of their kind.
Police arrested another trio of Irish men, aged 21, 28 and 35, on March 18 who worked for the same criminal syndicate, investigators allege.
They were found with $380,000 in cash and jewellery after allegedly robbing a home in Sunshine and another in Mill Park.
"Investigators are continuing to probe whether both groups are linked to any other unsolved burglaries," police said.
Both investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au