Mount Dandenong crime: Five arrested near SkyHigh after police spot allegedly stolen cars

An alleged getaway plan backfired after a group of accused crooks tried to run through Mt Dandenong bush to escape arrest.

Five people were arrested in a Mt Dandenong incident.

A group of bumbling alleged car thieves who took their booty on a spin up to the Dandenongs — which was crawling with cops after the recent mega storm — tried to bush-bash their way to freedom.

An investigation led detectives to Observatory Rd where an allegedly stolen black Mazda and silver Isuzu D-MAX were parked near popular tourist lookout SkyHigh about 9.35am on June 24.

One man was arrested at the scene while a second man and two women allegedly scampered off into the bush.

Yarra Ranges Sergeant Leigh Thompson said a police helicopter and the dog squad were called in as a chase ensued.

Sgt Thompson said the trio had organised an alleged getaway driver to pick them up further down the mountain, but police soon put a stop to that plan.

He said an unmarked unit spotted an allegedly stolen car, which was tracked by the helicopter to outdoor camping store Anaconda in Bayswater, where the driver was arrested.

Meanwhile, the three alleged fugitives had made it down the mountain to Montrose, where they were seen by plain clothed police officers, Sgt Thompson said.

Officers arrested a man and a woman, but the second woman continued her alleged escape by jumping into a passing car.

He said the car was soon stopped and she was later arrested.

A Dandenong man, 23, was charged with aggravated burglary, theft, three counts of car theft, possess firearm, two counts of disqualified driver, and commit indictable offences while on bail.

A Clayton man, 29, has been charged with aggravated burglary, attempted robbery, four counts of car theft, theft and obtain property by deception, 10 counts of commit indictable offence on bail, drug of dependence possession, handle stolen goods, and breach of intervention order.

He was remanded and to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

An Officer woman, 22, was charged with aggravated burglary, three counts of car theft, careless driving, breach of bail, five counts of theft, three counts of obtain property by deception, two counts of theft from car, commit indictable offences while on bail and

firearm, ammunition, cannabis and heroin possession and remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court.

A 17-year-old girl was charged with car theft and obtain property by deception and will appear at a children’s court at a later date.

A Dandenong man, 34, was charged with car theft, aggravated exposure to emergency services worker by driving, drug possession, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and commit indictable offence while on bail, and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 16.

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