A Caroline Springs man was arrested on Friday, following a series of burglaries across Melbourne churches during April.
“It’s alleged the burglaries took place at places of worship in Altona North, St Albans, Flemington, Templestowe, Mont Albert, Balwyn North, Keilor East, Box Hill and South Melbourne between 4-18 April,” the Victoria Police announcement states.
In the days leading up to Holy Week, a rash of attacks targeting at least 10 Greek Orthodox churches made headlines, after the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese issued an announcement.
Churches affected included The Presentation Of Our Lady in North Balwyn, Sts Anargyris in Oakleigh, St Charalambos in Templestowe, and Agia Paraskevi in St Albans.
Neos Kosmos also received information about a further alleged break-in at the Holy Cross church of Box Hill.
READ MORE: Number of Greek churches burgled rises but bishop cautions to ‘avoid judgment’
Meanwhile, reports emerged last week of at least one Thai Buddhist temple also being attacked, according to a parishioner who told the ABC her Mont Albert temple was broken into twice the weekend 16 -17 April.
The man arrested on Friday by Moonee Valley Crime Investigation Unit detectives faces multiple charges including 11 counts of burglary, 12 counts of theft, robbery and criminal damage.
It followed the execution of warrants in Caroline Springs and Maidstone on Thursday and Friday, with police seizing “money and property alleged to have been stolen during the burglaries.”
The 45-year-old man was expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 23 April.
