Police gain momentum in catching western suburbs car thieves

Car thieves, dangerous drivers and those carrying weapons were among 35 people arrested during a recent nightly operation in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Twelve stolen cars were spotted by police throughout Operation Momentum, with all cars successfully recovered with assistance from the Air Wing.

The operation, which saw detectives and general duties police saturate roads across Brimbank and Melton, led to:

• 35 arrests with more than 240 charges laid

• 12 stolen cars recovered

• Six weapons seized including a sawn-off shotgun

• 10 cars impounded for driving offences

• More than 2,800 vehicles checked

Among those arrested include:

• Five teenagers who were arrested after being caught travelling in an allegedly stolen 2012 Dodge Journey at high speeds throughout Rockbank just after 10pm on Saturday 16 May. Police attempted to intercept the car on Dandelion Crescent, however the driver allegedly failed to stop and crashed into two parked vehicles before taking off. Air Wing continued to monitor from above before officers on the ground deployed stop sticks in Albanvale. The car came to a stop, and five occupants attempted to flee into nearby parkland. After a short foot chase, all five – including four 16-year-olds and a 17-year-old – were arrested.

• A 22-year-old driver who was observed allegedly travelling at 116km/h in a 60km/h zone on High Street in Melton about 11.55pm on Friday 15 May. Police attempted to intercept his vehicle, a Toyota Kluger, however the driver allegedly failed to stop. Air Wing tracked the vehicle across Melton, stop sticks were successfully deployed by officers on ground and the vehicle came to a stop on the Western Freeway onramp. The Melton man was arrested without incident.

• Two men, aged 31 and 37, who were caught driving in an allegedly stolen car with stolen registration plates affixed in Taylors Hill on Friday 15 May. Officers attempted to intercept the car about 2.30am however it failed to stop and continued on. The Air Wing tracked the car and stop sticks were successfully deployed on Ballarat Road. The occupants, from Wyndham Vale and New South Wales respectively were arrested and charged with a range of offences.

• A 32-year-old man who allegedly had a sawn-off shot gun in his possession when intercepted in Melton South about 1.15am on Thursday 14 May. Police first observed a Mazda travelling with no registration plates on Station Road and intercepted the car shortly after. As the male driver got out of the car, officers observed a sawn-off shotgun in the passenger foot well under the seat. The man, from Ballarat, was charged with firearm offences and remanded to appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 11 June.

Operation Momentum launched in March 2025 to target high harm crime in Brimbank and Melton.

It sees local police team up with specialist units including the Air Wing and Dog Squad, with a focus on identifying reckless car thieves and removing them from the roads.

Since its launch police have made more than 180 arrests, laid more than 750 charges and located some 50 stolen cars.

With car theft reaching decade highs in Brimbank and Melton, police will continue to run targeted operations such as Momentum to hold thieves to account.

The latest iteration of Momentum ran from 13 to 16 May.

Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Constable Sean Armstrong, Melton Crime Investigation Unit:

“We are out every night catching car thieves however this bolstered response allows us to put a real dent in vehicle crime across the western suburbs.

“With the Air Wing above we can stop offenders in their tracks.

“Our message is clear – if you chose to travel around in a stolen car, at speed, you will be arrested and held to account.

“We will continue to run targeted operations like Momentum with police out in numbers while the community sleeps.”

Media Unit

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