Masked teens set for alleged break-in among 36 people nabbed in major crime blitz

Two teenagers driving an alleged stolen vehicle and about to break into a tobacco store are among 36 people arrested in a major police operation in Melton and Brimbank.

Masked teenagers about to break into a tobacco store are among 36 people arrested in a major western suburbs operation in Melton and Brimbank.

Firearms, including a sawn-off shotgun, were also seized in a separate bust after investigators tracked a stolen vehicle by helicopter.

Police spotted a Toyota Prado with stolen plates on Ballarat Rd in Sunshine as part of the recent 4-night anti-car theft operation in which the area was saturated with officers.

Two males on board, aged 17 and 18, are suspected of being ready to break into a tobacco shop and sped off when approached.

The 4WD was found abandoned soon after and police dogs used to track the pair, who have been charged with offences including attempted burglary, theft of a motor vehicle and handling stolen goods.

The next day, a stolen Toyota Hilux was spotted at Kurunjang and tracked via the air wing to a home in Greenhills Drive where two people got out and went inside.

Police descended on the property and arrested them, seizing a sawn-off firearm, a rifle and a handgun.

A 36-year-old man was charged with motor vehicle theft and possession of a traffickable quantity of firearms.

Two masked teens were among 36 people arrested as part of a major anti-car theft crackdown in Sunshine. Picture: file image

A stolen Ford utility was recovered after being spotted travelling erratically on the Melton Highway.

Officers used stop sticks to pull it up and arrested and charged a 32-year-old man who tried to flee the scene.

As part of the same operation, a stolen white Jeep Cherokee with false plates was spotted in Taylors Hill and intercepted on Calder Park Drive.

Those on board tried to run but were arrested after being tracked by the dog squad.

One was found hiding under a car and $2500 cash and cannabis were found in the Cherokee.

Those on board, a 21-year-old from Hillside and a 17-year-old from the Brimbank area were arrested and charged with vehicle, handling stolen goods, trafficking cannabis and failing to stop

Supt Michael Cruse, divisional commander for Brimbank and Melton, said police the community were rightly concerned about the number of cars being broken into and that vehicle crime was a high priority.

“This was a successful operation leading to 36 offenders being arrested, but it is only one example of the many ways we are constantly targeting car thefts and burglaries in our community. Know that police are out every day and night looking to detect offenders, prevent offending and build our intelligence holdings,” Supt Cruse said.

The operations were run by general duties police, members of Melton CIU, the Caroline Springs crime reduction team, and the Melton and Brimbank highway patrols.