In short:
Victoria Police charged 65 people and recovered six stolen cars during a two-night blitz across Wyndham’s western suburbs last week. Operation Shows targeted car theft and dangerous driving, with arrests spanning Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and the Metropolitan Ring Road.
Two-Night Blitz Nets 65 Charges
Police caught up with more than 40 people across two nights in Wyndham’s western suburbs last week, recovering six stolen cars and impounding a further ten as part of Operation Shows.
The operation runs overnight regularly in the area — a similar crackdown in May last year saw more than 30 dangerous drivers and car thieves caught in one night — with police units on the ground and in the air again targeting car theft and dangerous driving throughout the western suburbs.
Operation Shows ran overnight on 5 and 6 August and led to 65 charges laid, 10 vehicles impounded, six stolen cars recovered and 25 traffic infringement notices issued for unlicensed, suspended or disqualified drivers.
Teen Motorcyclists Chased Through Hoppers Crossing
Two motorcycle riders were arrested after the Air Wing spotted them allegedly speeding and running red lights in Hoppers Crossing about 10.30pm on 5 August.
The motorcyclists allegedly evaded police after an intercept was attempted, with the Air Wing continuing to track them speeding through numerous red lights across the western suburbs.
They eventually stopped at the intersection of the Princes Freeway and Doherty’s Road, where police arrested both riders — two 17-year-old girls from the Wyndham area.
Both are expected to be charged with evading police, unlicensed riding, unregistered motor vehicle use, conduct endangering persons, dangerous driving, speeding and disobeying a red light.
Driver Crashes Into Median Strip After Chase
Just an hour later, a Highway Patrol unit attempted to intercept a suspicious driver on the Metropolitan Ring Road near the Boundary Road exit about 11.30pm.
The car crossed onto the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing nearby roadside workers, before taking the Robinsons Road exit and colliding with a light pole and a speed sign on the median strip.
Police followed the car to a nearby industrial area on Calarco Drive, where it stopped and the driver was arrested after a short foot chase.
A 44-year-old man from Fraser Rise was charged with evading police, dangerous driving while pursued by police, conduct endangering persons, driving in a dangerous manner, failing to stop at the scene of a collision, exceeding the speed limit, disobeying a red light and outstanding whereabouts.
Stolen BMW Tracked From Melton to Tarneit
The next night, a stolen BMW was recovered after it allegedly evaded police in Melton just before midnight on 6 August.
The Air Wing tracked the car to Tarneit — the latest in a string of stolen-car incidents to hit the suburb — where the male driver got out and attempted to flee on foot.
Units on the ground swooped in and he was swiftly arrested. The car, allegedly stolen from a house party in the area, was seized along with $1,000 in cash found on the man.
A 35-year-old man from Strathtulloh was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving, displaying false registration plates and possessing the proceeds of crime.
Werribee Senior Sergeant Peter West said Operation Shows sends a clear message to would-be car thieves.
“While the community slept, police were patrolling the western suburbs from the ground and the sky,” he said.
“Operation Shows isn’t just about the number of thieves we find, it also sends a strong message that we may be out at anytime to catch you.
“We continue to use our specialist resources, combined with our local officer’s knowledge, to target those thinking of stealing cars, evading police or driving dangerously.”
Anyone with information about car thieves is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
