Victoria Police caught up with more than 60 people across two nights in the western suburbs last week, recovering four stolen cars and impounding a further nine as part of Operation Shows.
The operation is run regularly across the western suburbs, with police units on the ground and in the sky targeting car thefts and dangerous driving while the community sleeps.
“While the community slept, scores of police were out patrolling the western suburbs from both the ground and the sky,” said Werribee Senior Sergeant Peter West.
“Operation Shows isn’t just about the number of thieves or dodgy drivers we remove from the roads, it also sends a clear message to offenders that we can be out anywhere, anytime.
“We continue to use our specialist resources, combined with our local officers’ knowledge, to target those thinking of stealing cars, evading police or driving dangerously.”
17 people were arrested including:
- A 25-year-old Werribee man who was arrested in an allegedly stolen Toyota Landcruiser on 27 August. Police first observed the vehicle on the Millers Road onramp of the Westgate Freeway just before 2am. Police deployed stop sticks however the vehicle continued on at speed, before veering onto the wrong side of the road. The Air Wing tracked the car through a number of suburbs before the driver lost control and came to a stop in a field in Werribee South. The man was taken to hospital for unrelated matters and later charged.
- Three people who allegedly committed a burglary at a car dealership in Tottenham about 3.30am on 28 August. It will be alleged they broke into a key safe and stole keys to multiple vehicles before taking off in a stolen car. Police attempted to intercept the vehicle at a West Footscray petrol station however the driver failed to stop and took off at speed. The Air Wing followed from above through multiple suburbs before it came to a stop outside another service station and three occupants fled on foot. Two women, aged 32 from Armadale and 19 from Collingwood, and a 35-year-old Truganina man, were arrested and charged with a range of offences.
- A 34-year-old man who was arrested in an allegedly stolen RAV4 after police observed it travelling in Hoppers Crossing just before midnight on 26 August. The Air Wing tracked the vehicle to an address in Tarneit and three occupants were arrested without incident. Police also seized allegedly stolen plates from the vehicle.
Further police work led to the recovery of four stolen cars, the impounding of nine vehicles, execution of 12 outstanding warrants, seizure of three weapons and issuing of 41 traffic infringement notices to unlicensed, suspended and disqualified drivers
Operation Shows ran overnight on 26 and 27 August and will continue to run regularly in the western suburbs.
Anyone with information about car thieves is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
