Melbourne jewellery store heist mastermind arrested

A flamboyant Lamborghini-driving gold and diamond dealer suspected of being one of the masterminds behind 33 jewellery store heists has been raided by police.

Columbian-born Alejandro ‘Alex’ Mendieta had his store raided on Thursday as part of an investigation into a series of armed robberies across Melbourne.

The 31-year-old is a fixture in the city’s nightclub scene and leads a glamorous high-flying lifestyle, with singer Delta Goodrem performing at his 30th birthday party.

Three Columbian men aged 31, 34 and 36 were arrested during the raids, and are answering questions while in police custody. 

Alejandro ‘Alex’ Mendieta (pictured) had his store and home raided on Thursday as part of an investigation into a series of armed robberies across Melbourne

Detectives from the Gangs Crime Squad raided three homes including Mr Mendieta’s penthouse, and his jewellery store in Melbourne’s central business district.

Mr Mendieta’s Lamborghini was seized by police, as was cash, gold and silver, precious stones and gold bullion the police believe to be stolen or the proceeds of crime.

Police were investigating a total of 33 violent armed jewellery store robberies over the past 12 months, many involving gangs of African youths, The Age reported.

Crime Command Acting Commander Peter De Santo said the raids highlight police efforts to put a stop to the crime spree.

Mr Mendieta (pictured) is a fixture in the city’s nightclub scene and leads a glamorous high-flying lifestyle, with singer Delta Goodrem performing at his 30th birthday party

Detectives from the Gangs Crime Squad raided three homes including Mr Mendieta’s (pictured) penthouse, and his jewellery store in Melbourne’s central business district

Police were investigating a total of 33 violent armed jewellery store robberies, many involving gangs of African youths (pictured is one of Thursday’s arrests)

‘It’s not only about identifying and targeting offenders involved in violent incidents at jewellery stores, it’s also about investigating what happens after those offences occur,’ he said.

‘We know that offenders will be looking to move on items, many of which have significant value, so it’s about making sure we follow those lines of enquiry and stop those providing avenues for the disposal of these goods.

‘These incidents have a significant impact on victims, whether it’s those who are in the store at the time of the offence or those business owners who are left with the loss of stock and damage to their stores.

Mr Mendieta’s Lamborghini (pictured) was impounded by police, as was cash, gold and silver, precious stones and gold bullion the police believe to be stolen or the proceeds of crime

Mr Mendieta is the owner of Sell Your Gold Pty Ltd and Diamond On Sale Pty Ltd, and owns several properties in Melbourne (pictured is Mr Mendieta’s impounded Lamborghini)

Crime Command Acting Commander Peter De Santo said the raids highlight police efforts to put a stop to the crime spree (pictured)

‘We understand there has been a lot of concern from business owners, as well as the wider community, about this offending.’

He said known criminals were seen entering the raided premises to fence stolen goods even while police were carrying out their search warrants. 

Mr Mendieta is the owner of Sell Your Gold Pty Ltd and Diamond On Sale Pty Ltd, and owns several properties in Melbourne.

He is believed to own a stake in a popular nightspot, and had Delta Goodrem appear at his 30th birthday party last year. 

The three men are due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon. 

The investigation into the selling and receiving of stolen jewellery was launched by the Gangs Crime Squad following a series of jewellery store armed robberies across Melbourne over the past year (pictured)

The three men are due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon (pictured is one of the men being led away by police)