- Published:
- Thursday 9 October 2025 at 4:02 pm
Five teenagers have been charged following a police operation across the southeastern and eastern suburbs in the early hours of this morning.
Air Wing officers located an allegedly stolen Mercedes utility travelling south on Lum Road, Wheelers Hill just before 4am.
Air Wing tracked the vehicle through multiple eastern and southeastern suburbs before stop sticks were successfully used at Tootal Road in Dingley Village.
It is alleged the five occupants fled from the vehicle on Westall Road, Dingley where they unsuccessfully attempted a carjacking.
The victim was not injured.
The offenders then allegedly fled into grass area where they were arrested by police.
The five teens have been charged with burglary, criminal damage, attempted theft and theft of motor vehicle.
Two boys aged 16 and 17 from the Greater Dandenong area, and a 16-year-old boy from the Casey area, have been bailed to a children’s court at a later date.
Two 14-year-old boys from the Greater Dandenong area have been remanded in custody.
The Mercedes vehicle was allegedly stolen from Grantchester Road, Wheelers Hill on 26 September during an aggravated burglary.
The arrests were part of Operation Trinity, which is 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.
This approach led to 1,688 arrests of burglars and car thieves in the twelve months to August 2025.
Latest police intelligence indicates that as many as 65% 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.
Quotes attributable to Eastern Region Investigation and Response Detective Inspector Paul Cripps:
“Young children behind the wheel of a stolen car are a recipe for disaster.
“That’s why we are out in force every night across Melbourne as part of Operation Trinity – swarming the suburbs to stop crime and quickly arrest offenders.
“Victoria Police are as disturbed by the thought of someone entering your home or killing an innocent motorist as the rest of the community are.
“We’ve arrested five young burglars and car thieves every day for the past year as part of Trinity.
“Given the extreme risk these offenders present, we have no intention of letting up.
Media Unit
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