In short:
Police arrested 35 people in Werribee as part of Operation Shows, recovering stolen vehicles and charging offenders with theft and dangerous driving. The overnight blitz saw Air Wing and Dog Squad deployed across Wyndham.
Offenders tracked from sky and ground
A major police operation in Wyndham has led to the arrest of 35 alleged car thieves and dangerous drivers across two nights in August, with officers recovering six stolen vehicles and impounding five more.
Known as Operation Shows, the coordinated crackdown involved Werribee police working alongside the Air Wing and Dog Squad to track offenders from the sky and ground. The blitz, which took place overnight on 21 and 22 August, targeted unauthorised drivers and vehicle theft suspects across the Wyndham area.
“While the community slept, police were patrolling the Wyndham area from the ground and the sky,” said Senior Sergeant Peter West from Werribee Police.
A total of 72 charges have been laid, ranging from vehicle theft to drug possession and failing to stop for police. Among those arrested were:
A 45-year-old Melton man, allegedly spotted in Truganina driving a stolen Toyota Prado with stolen plates. After being followed by Air Wing to Richmond, he abandoned the car and swam across the Yarra River in an attempt to evade arrest. Police recovered two key reprogramming devices from the vehicle. He now faces multiple charges, including three counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.
A 25-year-old Charlemont man, allegedly caught driving a Suzuki Vitara with taped-on plates in Laverton North. Police say he failed to stop and was found in possession of drugs. His vehicle was impounded.
A 22-year-old Hoppers Crossing man, allegedly driving a stolen car at high speed along Tarneit Road. The Air Wing tracked the vehicle, and two occupants were arrested after trying to hide in a nearby driveway. He has been charged with motor vehicle theft, possessing a dangerous article and failing to stop.
A 20-year-old Lovely Banks man, who allegedly drove with fraudulent plates, failed to stop, and blew positive on a breath test. He is also accused of being a disqualified learner driver and driving an unroadworthy, unregistered vehicle.
Police say the operation is ongoing and continues to run without public notice.
“Not only is the success of this operation measured by the number of people we arrested, it also sends a strong message that we may be out at any time,” Senior Sergeant West said. “We do not hesitate to impound vehicles of dangerous drivers so they are removed from the roads.”
Since launching in 2022, Operation Shows has led to over 1,000 arrests across Wyndham for more than 1,770 offences. Police have impounded 225 vehicles and recovered over 60 stolen cars.
Anyone with information about vehicle theft or dangerous driving in Wyndham is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or call 1800 333 000.
