Toorak and Elwood allegedly targeted for high end cars by Central Victorian kids

Luxury car thefts from Melbourne’s leafy suburbs have allegedly been traced back to a group of teenagers. Find out how they allegedly drove off with the vehicles as the owners slept.

Luxury car thefts from Melbourne’s leafy suburbs have allegedly been traced back to a group of teenagers from the Bendigo region, who have been accused of stealing keys during burglaries and then driving off in the vehicles.

A group of kids allegedly broke into houses in Elwood and Toorak while the occupants were sleeping on September 28 and 29.

A 17-year-old boy, who allegedly took part in those thefts and another operation at Bendigo on Nov 6 which netted a Kia Sorento, faced court on Friday.

Police investigators said there had been an “escalating” series of aggravated burglaries carried out by the underaged drivers.

A 16-year-old co-accused had also been arrested and charged but was dealt with at another court.

Police prosecutor senior constable Marie Kavanagh opposed bail for the 17-year-old, telling the court the community was at risk from unlicensed, underaged driving and frightening break ins.

“The applicant was on bail at the time and his offending has been escalating,” she said.

“His offending is putting people at risk, by breaking into their homes and while they are asleep.

“It is terrifying for them and he’s putting himself at risk as well because he does not know how the people in these homes will react.”

Magistrate Pauline Spencer said the boy could be released, on strict bail conditions including a curfew.

She warned that time was running out for him to turn his life around.

“You will be 18 soon and you will stop being in Children’s Court and then it is a whole different ball game,” she said.