THREE IRISH MEN have been charged in Australia with operating a burglary gang in a $1m (€600,000) spree targeting high end property across Melbourne.

Detectives from the Box Hill Divisional Response Unit (DRU) have charged the men with the “alleged sophisticated residential burglaries”.

The trio are allegedly responsible for more than 60 break-ins in affluent areas of the city since January.

Police allege the men entered Australia in the last six months and stole cash, jewellery and designer handbags.

The majority of these offences occurred while the occupants were away from their homes. After breaking into homes, the trio allegedly used cleaning products in an attempt to cover their tracks.

A police statement said that the men were arrested last Thursday at a hotel near Melbourne Airport.

“A 24-year-old man, a 25-year-old man and a 19-year-old man all with no fixed address were all charged with numerous counts of aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, burglary, and theft from motor vehicle. All three men were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court.

“Three further Irish nationals, who police will allege are part of the same syndicate, were arrested on 18 March in connection to home burglaries in Sunshine and Mill Park between January and March this year.

“Investigators recovered more than $380,000 cash and designer jewellery which was allegedly stolen during from these two properties,” the statement said. 

A 35-year-old man, 28-year-old man, and a 21-year-old man all with no fixed address were charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage, aggravated home invasion and false imprisonment.

All three men were remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday 25 June.

The detectives are continuing to probe whether both groups are linked to any other unsolved burglaries. Both investigations remain ongoing.