Businesses attacked in million-dollar ‘marble’ smashing spree: police

A man and two teens have been charged after allegedly smashing dozens of business across Melbourne's inner suburbs with a marble slingshot, racking up more than $1 million in damages.

Police allege the trio used a slingshot to hurl marbles through windows of businesses across dozens of suburbs, including Collingwood, Docklands, Mentone, Richmond, South Yarra, and St Kilda.

At least 87 alleged incidents were reported to police during September and December of this year, with the majority believed to have occurred between the months of October and November.

With police having received invoices for the damage from only about half the business, officers believe the repair bill will exceed $1 million. At one just business, the bill reached $150,000.

The alleged months-long campaign came to an end on Wednesday when police executed a search warrant at a home in Cheltenham, where they seized four slingshots and extendible batons.

Police also allegedly seized and dismantled a small cannabis crop during their search of the southeast Melbourne home, as well as confiscating six firearms and suspending two firearms licenses.

In total, the trio face a combined 274 charges, including 258 counts of criminal damage, as well as reckless conduct, cultivating and trafficking cannabis, and possessing a prohibited firearm.

The 49-year-old man was refused bail to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on December 19. The teens, aged 15 and 16, were released on bail to appear before the Children’s Court.

A 52-year-old woman was also arrested at the property and released with intent to summons in relation to the cannabis crop. Police believe that all four people were known to each other.