- Published:
- Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 10:02 am
Fawkner Divisional Response Unit officers are appealing for public assistance as they investigate a series of criminal damage incidents where ball bearings were fired across Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs.
It is believed offenders fired ball bearings to smash the windows of shops, restaurants and businesses between Friday 8 May and Monday 11 May.
Several bus shelters were also damaged during this time.
Some of the incidents which are believed to be linked include:
- A window was shattered at the entrance of an apartment building on Dandenong Road in Malvern East about 10.50pm on Friday, 8 May. A ball bearing was located in the front foyer.
- The glass window of a property on Centre Road in Bentleigh East was smashed about 11.50pm on Friday, 8 May. The occupants thought it was a gunshot, and they were not physically injured. Police located a ball bearing at the scene.
- Several bus shelters were damaged with ball bearing projectiles through the Stonnington area and Melbourne’s south between 11pm on 8 May and 2.30am on 9 May.
- A vehicle travelling along Sydney Road in Coburg slowed down outside a restaurant before a ball bearing was discharged into the front glass door about 3.10am on Saturday, 9 May.
- The front window of a bank on Sydney Road, a juice bar on Sydney Road, front windows of Brunswick Baths on Dawson Street and several bus shelters in Coburg were also smashed during the early hours of Saturday, 9 May.
There were no physical injuries during the reported incidents.
Police believe a dark-coloured utility was used by offenders to travel between the locations, with the projectiles being fired from the vehicle.
Officers do not believe the incidents were targeted attacks, and the locations were fired at randomly from the main roads.
It is understood additional locations could have been damaged but not reported to police at this stage.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, with CCTV/dashcam vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Kathryn Muffett
Media Unit
148262
Updated