Three men have been charged with almost 50 offences following a spate of vehicle crimes across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs over the past two weeks.
The men are accused of committing a series of vehicle thefts and vehicle break ins across Murrumbeena, Keysborough, Ashwood, Clarinda, Springvale and Huntingdale between Thursday 7 July and Thursday 21 July.
The trio is facing a raft of charges including, theft of motor vehicle, theft, dangerous driving while being pursued by police, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, and handle stolen goods.
Monash Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested and charged an 18-year-old Springvale South man on Thursday 21 July following a pursuit in Doveton. It is alleged he was driving a stolen vehicle prior to his arrest.
He has been remanded to face Dandenong Magistrate’s Court on 26 August 2022.
On Thursday 28 July, detectives arrested and charged a 24-year-old Ashwood man in Chadstone after he ran an allegedly stolen vehicle into a parked car.
He has been remanded to face Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 15 August 2022.
A 29-year-old Richmond man was arrested and charged on 28 July in Oakleigh.
He has been remanded to face Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2022.
All stolen vehicles have since been located.
The arrests come as part of Operation Leopard – an ongoing operation targeting vehicle theft and vehicle break ins across Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, and Whitehorse Police Service Areas.
Investigations into the incidents remain ongoing and anyone with information that could assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
Quotes attributable to Sergeant Jack Russell – Monash Crime Investigation Unit:
“Police have zero tolerance for offenders who scour the streets looking for any opportunity to steal. We know that stolen vehicles are often involved in further offending, which has no place in our safe communities.
“As part of Operation Leopard, local police are sharing intelligence on known persons of interest, intercepting vehicles, and regularly patrolling local streets to detect and deter offending.
“We will simply not sit and wait for offending to occur. Police will continue to target thieves in our community and put them before a court.”
