Sat, 15th August, 2026: Olivia Jenkins, ABC Crime Reporter; Crime in Melbourne: what is changing, who is behind it, and are police and governments keeping up?
From the death of underworld matriarch Kath Pettingill to the tragic killing of Sunshine shopkeeper Van Viet Truong, Melbourne’s crime headlines have felt non-stop lately. At the same time, fire-bombings linked to illegal tobacco are allegedly spilling over into Melbourne’s bars and nightlife. But are these just isolated headlines, or is the face of crime in our city fundamentally changing? ABC Crime Reporter Olivia Jenkins joins us now to make sense of it all. Welcome to Saturday Magazine, Olivia
Two men have been charged and one arrested after a joint agency investigation into the alleged movement of millions of dollars in cash from Tasmania to Victoria, suspected to be the proceeds of crime from the sale of illicit tobacco.
The action was the result of a long-term Tasmania Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (TAS JOCTF) investigation into illicit tobacco in Tasmania.
A 33-year-old from Hoppers Crossing, Victoria, and a 22-year-old from Sorell, Tasmania, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on 12 August, 2026. Both were charged with knowingly dealing proceeds of crime and recklessly dealing proceeds of crime. They face a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
It is alleged they facilitated the movement of criminal proceeds in cash from Tasmania and Victoria using hire cars and a commercial passenger and freight vessel.
Both were bailed to reappear at the court on 2 December, 2026.
During the search warrants, officers seized more than $2.5 million worth of tobacco product, more than $1 million in cash, 9kg of silver bars (worth more than $30,000) and one ounce of gold (worth more than $4000).
Police also seized five imitation firearms, including a gel blaster firearm, three registered firearms, a .22 rifle and ammunition, a cash-counting machine and mobile devices.
The Sunshine Tragedy: Shopkeeper Van Viet Truong (60) died after allegedly intervening in a youth theft outside his grocery store. Five teenagers were charged (a 15-yo with manslaughter has been remanded in custody; others granted bail).
Kath Pettingill’s Death (Age 91): Matriarch of the infamous family tied to the 1988 Walsh St police killings. Serves as the historical marker for Melbourne’s “old” underworld—identifiable family hierarchies now replaced by untraceable digital networks.
Dating App Arrests: Five teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, have been arrested this week after allegedly using dating apps to lure men before assaulting and robbing them. To date, 47 similar arrests have been made across the state. Police say they have seen similar incidents occur right across the state, “particularly in local government areas taking in Manningham, Casey, Hume, Moorabbin and Knox”.
Olivia Jenkins is the ABC’s crime reporter in Melbourne.
She is the winner of a Young Walkley for public service journalism and has been the Melbourne Press Club’s young journalist of the year.
She was previously a crime reporter at the Herald Sun
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