50 arrests, 40 bans at Westfield in mall blitz
245 bus users caught with no Myki card
More than 50 people were arrested and 40 alleged offenders banned from Westfield Geelong after police swooped on the shopping centre during the school holidays.
Officers arrested 51 people during Operation Bingo, a four-day police sting targeting theft and anti-social behaviour in the city during April.
Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches said every person arrested was referred to support agencies to ensure the cause of the behaviour was addressed, which included addiction and cost-of-living pressures.
Police banned 41 people from the shopping centre for 12 months – people who were committing crimes such as theft, or anti-social behaviour.
Officers also checked people for outstanding warrants or previous offences, which led to nine individuals being arrested. They were either bailed or remanded in custody.
Public Transport Victoria officers targeted the Moorabool St bus stop and 245 people were busted without a Myki card.
Each passenger found not carrying a Myki was reported to the Department of Transport, which would decide if they would be given a warning or face a fine of up to $280.
Officers also fined 21 drivers for speeding along Moorabool St.
Sergeant Riches said multiple tobacconists and vape stores were also checked for legislation compliance after officers were told minors were buying nicotine vapes.
As part of the operation, a 46-year-old Whittington man was arrested at Eastern Cemetery after allegedly smashing graves and stealing flowers.
A similar two-day operation in December last year resulted in more than $10,000 worth of goods stolen from the shopping centre being retrieved by officers.
Acting Sergeant Adam Barnes urged store owners and employees to report thefts to police.
“In most cases, if they’ve stolen from one store, they have stolen from others,” he said.
“We want to educate the offenders to think twice before stealing.”
Sergeant Riches said police would continue the targeted operation as well as working closely with shop owners, Geelong council and PTV officers to ensure the community was safe.