More than $30m in stolen cars recovered by police from Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia

A staggering $30m in stolen vehicles have been recovered from three council areas in less than six months. See where they are.

More than $30 million in stolen cars have been recovered in less than six months from three “dumping ground” Melbourne council areas.

Victoria Police figures show 1005 stolen vehicles – many taken in residential aggravated burglaries – have turned up in Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia with some of the thefts linked to children as young as 13.

There have been 468 stolen vehicles valued at $16 million found in Casey, 411 in Dandenong and 126 in Cardinia, indicating many of the thieves are from those areas.

They are zeroing-in on high-end models which are then used for dangerous high-speed runs through metropolitan Melbourne, frequently piloted by teenagers with little or no driving experience.

Police have recovered $30m in stolen vehicles. Picture: Supplied

The cars which wound up in Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia were often recovered with the thieves on board or were arrested running from the scene.

Others were found within hours of the crime or during targeted daytime sweeps of designated locations.

Operation Trinity, which runs around the clock to combat the wave of vehicle-motivated aggravated burglaries in the eastern and southern suburbs, has led to an increasing number of offenders being caught in the act and cars being returned to owners.

High-end models are often used for dangerous high-speed runs. Picture: 9 News

Trinity tracked down 1420 cars last year, 43 per cent of which were found in Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.

Acting Supt Andy McKee of Trinity said the recovery rates in those three areas were “staggering” and that police had an increasingly targeted approach to the vehicle recovery.

“We know that Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia are the worst dumping grounds in the state for stolen vehicles and that’s why we are watching these areas – and offenders – like hawks,” acting Supt McKee said.

Many of the cars were taken in residential aggravated burglaries. Picture: 7News

Acting Supt McKee said the cars were mainly not being stolen for profit but for kicks, driven by online “post and boast” notoriety.

Figures show a 94 per cent statewide recovery rate on stolen cars, which Supt McKee said was crucial.

“We know the impact it has, it’s very problematic for the victim and the household,” he said.

“That is why we are targeting this offending every single night as part of operation Trinity, which has led to the arrest of over 1400 burglars and car thieves in the past year.”

Officers from the Greater Dandenong youth gang team have recovered 169 cars stolen during aggravated burglaries with a total value of $6.6 million.

Maseratis, BMWs, Audis, Mercedes-Benzes, Porsches, Range Rovers and Jaguars were found in that work, carried out with the local investigation and response team and the Eastern and Southern region crime squads.

Supt McKee said people could take some steps to protect themselves such as locking their vehicles and the doors and windows of their homes and making sure car keys were not in sight for anyone who looked in a house window.