Wyndham police have arrested 11 youths and recovered two allegedly stolen vehicles overnight as part of an operation targeting dangerous drivers in the area.
As a result of the arrests, six youth offenders have been remanded in custody, two have been released on bail and three were issued with a caution.
The Air Wing observed a vehicle with false numberplates allegedly driving erratically on Elmhurst Road in Truganina at about 11pm last night.
The vehicle was tracked to Birchmore Circuit where six occupants fled from the car on foot. Police attended and arrested all six occupants a short distance nearby.
After making enquiries, police discovered the vehicle was found to allegedly have been stolen after car keys were stolen from a Tarneit gym on 18 July.
The six occupants were all males from the Wyndham area aged between 13 and 18-years-old. They were charged with various offences including theft of motor vehicle and breaching court orders. All of those charged were remanded, except for the 16-year-old who was bailed to appear at a children's court at a later date.
A few hours later at about 1.30am, the Air Wing observed an allegedly stolen car with five occupants travelling on Sanctuary Lakes Boulevard in Point Cook.
The vehicle was tracked to Finchley Road where stop sticks were deployed. The car came to a stop, with the five occupants fleeing from the car on foot.
All five males aged between 15 and 17-years-old were arrested nearby. The vehicle was also discovered to allegedly have been stolen from the same Tarneit gym earlier this week.
A 15-year-old from the western suburbs was charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle and was remanded to appear at court. Another 15-year-old was charged with theft of motor vehicle and was bailed, while the remaining three males were issued with a caution.
The arrests come as part of Operation Shows, which targets high risk and dangerous drivers on local roads.
It was implemented following an increase in young male drivers driving at dangerously high speeds and attempting to evade police in the local area.
The operation combines uniform police from Wyndham, detectives from the Wyndham Crime Investigation Unit and Divisional Response Unit with specialist resources including the Air Wing and Dog Squad.
The males were all charged by detectives from the Westgate Alliance Taskforce and Divisional Response Unit who investigate and proactively target serious and violent youth offenders in the area.
Anyone with information about criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Westgate Alliance Taskforce Detective Acting Sergeant Leah Marriner:
"These arrests are an example of the work police are doing every night - relentlessly tracking down those committing crimes and holding them accountable."
"We will continue to have a strong focus on locating stolen vehicles and targeting serious and violent youth offenders through a coordinated approach from local police, local detectives and state specialist resources."
