VIPER Taskforce officers have arrested a man and a woman who had been on the run for two years, wanted for 11 incidents dating back to March 2021, including aggravated burglaries, driving offences, thefts, assaults and making threats to kill.
With the assistance of the Dog Squad and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Unit (Drone Unit), a warrant was executed at 5.30am at a Cranbourne North address on the morning of 21 February.
A 23-year-old man from Cranbourne North, already the subject of a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO), was charged with intentionally cause injury, recklessly cause injury and fail to appear whilst on bail.
During the FPO search of his address, police located what appeared to be a quantity of cannabis.
He was bailed to face the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 20 March for eight different matters.
A 28-year-old woman from Cranbourne North was also arrested and bailed to face Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 15 June and Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 July.
Investigators will allege the pair had fled the state to avoid police apprehension in Victoria.
VIPER Taskforce Senior Constable Paul Harris said police would do everything they could to keep the community safe.
“If you are wanted by police for offences such as these and are attempting to avoid apprehension, VIPER Taskforce will do everything they can to find you and hold you accountable to community standards and the law,” he said.
Since they were introduced in May 2018, Victoria Police has issued more than 1795 FPOs across the state.
Once issued, a FPO remains in effect for 10 years for adults and five years for children, which is those aged between 14 and 17.
During that time, the individual is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or firearm-related item such as ammunition.
They are also unable to enter a range of premises including firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.
The charges relating to FPOs are significant – 10 years’ imprisonment for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm-related item.
Anyone with information about illicit firearm or drug activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
