Police arrested 10 people and seized three stolen vehicles during an overnight car theft operation in the Brimbank area.
Operation Ghost ran for three nights last weekend, with police targeting criminals breaking into and stealing cars.
Officers honed in on shopping centre and railway station carparks in Sunshine, St Albans, and Taylors Lakes, as well as residential areas.
It followed police intelligence which revealed thieves commonly target public parking areas and try multiple cars until they find one that is unlocked to steal or take items inside.
The targeted patrols, which aimed to deter offending, also led to police locating three unoccupied stolen vehicles at carparks in Deer Park and St Albans.
10 people were arrested during the operation, including:
A 37-year-old Footscray man who was allegedly caught driving erratically on Ballarat Road in Sunshine about 03:30am on 11 October. A search of his vehicle uncovered an extendable baton, a quantity of methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication.
A 66-year-old Sunshine West man who was arrested during a search warrant in Caroline Springs on 11 October. A search of the address located traffickable quantities of methylamphetamine and heroin. He was charged with drug trafficking and bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 23 January. A 25-year-old Sunshine West man was also arrested at the address for an outstanding warrant.
A 34-year-old man Essendon man who was arrested in St Albans on 12 October for outstanding theft-related offences valued at $120,000.
A 25-year-old Tarneit man who was observed driving with allegedly stolen number plates in the St Albans area on 12 October. A subsequent search of the man also located heroin in this possession.
More than 600 vehicles were checked over the weekend, with two cars impounded for speed related offences.
Police also executed a further 15 outstanding warrants.
Operation Ghost ran in the Brimbank area between 10 and 12 October.
Quotes attributable to Brimbank Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne:
"Vehicle crime is a huge priority for us in Brimbank.
"Every week we are arresting offenders and recovering stolen vehicles.
"Vehicle theft is often opportunistic. In fact, we know offenders actively target unlocked vehicles.
"The best thing the community can do to prevent thefts is to ensure their cars are locked at all times and valuables removed from plain sight."
