Alleged Child Network Leaders Arrested After $2 Million Thefts

‘These children have been enticed into stealing millions of dollars of cigarettes and cash from service stations, supermarkets, and tobacconists.’

A police car at a crime scene in Cairns, Australia, on Dec. 20, 2014. Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

Police say they have busted a child network tasked with stealing more than $2 million worth of cash and cigarettes in Melbourne to avoid adults “getting their hands dirty”.

Victoria Police on Wednesday evening (May 29) announced the arrests of four men followed a months-long investigation, with children as young as 12 allegedly recruited into the network.