In short:
Police arrest 51 people during a targeted two-night operation across Wyndham and Melbourne’s west, focusing on car theft and dangerous driving. Operation Shows continues to disrupt offenders using Air Wing and specialist units.
While most slept, police were out in force.
More than 50 people have been arrested across Melbourne’s western suburbs following a two-night police operation targeting car thieves and dangerous drivers.
Operation Shows ran overnight on 25–26 March across Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong, with police working alongside specialist units including the Air Wing and Dog Squad.
A total of 51 people were arrested for a range of offences including car theft, dangerous driving and suspended or disqualified driving. Two stolen vehicles were also recovered during the operation.
Among those arrested was a 33-year-old from Manor Lakes and a 31-year-old from Werribee after allegedly driving a stolen white Volkswagen Golf, which had been taken from Mount Duneed on 19 March. The Werribee man was charged with theft of motor vehicle.
A 39-year-old man was also arrested after allegedly riding an e-bike on Bolton Road about 11.50pm on 25 March while wanted on four outstanding warrants.
In a separate incident, a 47-year-old Wyndham Vale man was arrested after allegedly driving a white Ford Falcon utility displaying false registration plates on Ballan Road about 11.20pm on 26 March. He was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, unlicensed driving and breaching bail conditions.
Police also arrested a 23-year-old South Yarra woman who was allegedly riding a stolen motor scooter on Baggott Drive about 11.25pm on 26 March. She was charged with theft of motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, unlicensed driving, riding an unregistered vehicle, failing to wear a helmet and failing to affix registration plates.
A 32-year-old Tarneit man was arrested after the Air Wing detected an allegedly suspicious vehicle on Hogans Road about 1.50am on 27 March. He was charged with driving while disqualified and outstanding warrants.
Operation Shows, which began in 2022, has now resulted in more than 1,200 arrests and over 2,000 offences detected across the western suburbs. Police have also charged more than 300 people with unauthorised driving, impounded over 250 vehicles and recovered more than 90 stolen cars.
Werribee Police Senior Sergeant Peter West said officers were active throughout the night.
“While the community slept, police were patrolling the Wyndham area from the ground and the sky.
“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 anytime, combining our resources and swiftly arresting anyone committing these offences.
“You won’t know when Operation Shows is running, so we’d strongly suggest anyone thinking of stealing cars, evading police or driving dangerously in the area to think again.”
The operation will continue to run sporadically across the western suburbs.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
