BALLARAT police have swooped again, charging 15 people with a range of serious offences, including aggravated burglaries, after coordinated raids across the city.
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Three people including a 17-year-old girl, a 15-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man from Golden Point have been remanded in custody, while a further 12 have been bailed to appear in court at later dates.
READ MORE: Record firearm haul as 21 people arrested
READ MORE: 25 arrests in major police raid
In the four-day, long weekend Operation Locard, police raided 54 properties across Ballarat and the western region.
It is the third such raid in two months. In November, police smashed an illegal firearm ring operating throughout Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh, where they charged 21 people.
Just two weeks ago 25 people were charged with a range of offences relating to stolen vehicles.
The latest charges relate to a series of alleged incidents which occurred in the Ballarat region in November and December.
Inspector Greg Payne said those arrested were targeted over incidents "which caused significant damage to victims and the community".
"If your house is broken into or your car is stolen, this has a major impact on you and your family. Crimes like this affect not only the victim but can affect the wider community's perception of public safety." Inspector Payne said
"These arrests follow another operation which took place earlier this month that resulted in the arrest of 25 people for similar offences.
"Our message to people who are thinking about committing these sorts of crimes in Ballarat is loud and clear - Victoria Police will find you and we will hold you to account as we have for 40 offenders nabbed as part of these two operations," said Inspector Payne.
Of those remanded, the 42-year-old Golden Point man was charged with theft of motor cars.
The 17-year-old girl was charged with aggravated burglary and theft from motor cars while the 15-year-old boy charged with theft of motor car, and associated offences.
A further 12 people have been charged and bailed to appear or summonsed to appear at Ballarat Magistrates' Court on burglary, theft of motor car, theft from motor cars and associated offences.
Inspector Payne said it was critical for residents if they see a crime being committed, to notify police.
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