Police have made several arrests in Melbourne's eastern suburbs overnight, including four car thieves and a methylamphetamine affected motorcyclist clocked at 200 km/h.
The arrests were made as part of Operation Advance, which sees additional members from the Dog Squad, Highway Patrol, Divisional Response Unit, Proactive Policing Unit, Police Air Wing and the Monash frontline officers, on top of normal patrols.
The additional police presence supports Operation Trinity, which runs across Melbourne every night and is solely dedicated to targeting burglars and car thieves.
Key incidents from overnight include:
At around 10.50pm, officers identified a 2019 Mercedes Benz with false number plates on the Monash Freeway near Mulgrave. The vehicle was originally stolen from an aggravated burglary in Sorrento in October last year. The Air Wing followed the vehicle to Rowville, where it was subsequently dumped by the sole female driver, who was safely arrested at a nearby address. The 22-year-old Thomastown woman has been charged with theft of motor car and driving offences. She has been remanded in custody and will appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court today.
At around 10.00pm, officers observed an unregistered 2013 Yamaha motorcycle on the Monash Freeway. When police attempted to intercept the rider near the Huntingdale Road overpass, he allegedly evaded at speeds of up to 200 km/h. Air Wing tracked the rider to Pakenham where he was arrested with the assistance of the Dog Squad. The 32-year-old Pakenham male also tested positive for methylamphetamine and his motorcycle was impounded. He was charged with dangerous driving, unregistered vehicle and impaired driving. He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court.
At around 11.40pm, officers observed an unregistered motorcycle travelling at speeds of up to 180 km/h on the Monash Freeway near Mulgrave. The motorbike was followed to Heathmont with the male rider found hiding in parkland by the Dog Squad. A 20-year-old Bayswater male was charged with dangerous driving, unlicensed driving, unregistered vehicle and his motorbike was impounded. He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court.
At around 1.20am, police identified a stolen 2015 Toyota Corolla on Warrigal Road, Chadstone. The car was originally stolen from a gym in Tarneit one hour earlier. Air Wing tracked the vehicle to Drouin where three alleged offenders fled on foot. A 15-year-old male and two 15-year-old females were quickly arrested. The male was charged with theft of motor car and bailed to a childrens court. The two females were interviewed and released pending further investigation.
