Police, including officers from Operation Trinity, have arrested six males after a car was stolen from a Wantirna carpark overnight.
It is alleged that a group of males stole keys to a Mazda 3 from a gym near the corner of Mountain Highway and Thaxted Parade, about 11.30pm.
Fast responding police arrived on scene and arrested one male.
The remaining alleged offenders took off in the Mazda.
Officers seized a machete at the scene, which had been allegedly dropped by one of the males.
Police caught site of the Mazda travelling south on Eastlink in the Dandenong area about 1am.
Keeping their distance, officers maintained eyes on the vehicle, now travelling in convoy with a blue Toyota Echo, allegedly both travelling at speed through Seaford.
Police successfully stop sticked both vehicles on Cranbourne Road.
The Mazda continued to drive and was allegedly dumped in the vicinity of Moate Street a short time later.
Officers searched the area and arrested two males.
The Toyota was dumped in Kerry Street, Langwarrin, before police arrested three males allegedly attempting to flee the car on foot.
All six males will be interviewed by police.
Investigators allege that the Toyota was stolen from a Mont Albert address earlier this week.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or any other information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Victoria Police has a dedicated operation targeting burglars and car thieves from dusk to dawn across Melbourne.
On top of standard patrols, there are large numbers of additional police including members of the Dog Squad, Public Order Response and Air Wing, specifically tasked with preventing and responding to burglaries and car thefts each night.
As a result of this intense focus, police arrested 681 burglars and car thieves over 1,700 times in the year to the end of April 2025.
That equates to more than four burglars and car thieves arrested every single day.
Operation Trinity is Victoria Police's most well-resourced operation, with over 140,000 policing hours dedicated solely to this operation in 2024.
On top of this, the Air Wing spent well over a thousand hours in the sky last year tracking burglars and car thieves as part of Trinity.
Latest police intelligence indicates that as more than 80% of all aggravated burglaries in key hotspots are through unlocked doors/windows or unsuccessful attempts when the offender has discovered the property is locked.
As such, police implore the community to take simple steps such as locking all doors and windows on your home and car.
The data tells is undeniable - if you lock your doors, your chances of falling victim dramatically decrease.
