Youths carjacked rideshare before attempting to flee near Highpoint

Three youths assaulted a rideshare driver before carjacking his vehicle, then tried to dump it and flee at Highpoint.

The youths drove the carjacked rideshare to Highpoint, before trying to flee. Picture: Jason Edwards

Two youths have been charged and a third is on the run after allegedly assaulting a rideshare driver and carjacking his vehicle on Wednesday night.

The trio, two aged under 16, booked a rideshare vehicle from Tullamarine to Westmeadows about 12.45am.

After spending only a few minutes in the vehicle, one of the youths cancelled the ride.

The driver then pulled over on Ripplebrook Drive to let the boys out but was allegedly assaulted by two of the three.

He was forced from the vehicle and chased off by one of the group, who are then accused of returning to the car and driving it away.

The Victoria Police Air Wing followed the vehicle south to a shopping complex in Maribyrnong, believed to be Highpoint Shopping Centre.

The teens attempted to dump the vehicle and flee but a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were arrested at the scene.

The 16-year-old was charged with aggravated carjacking, intentionally causing injury, motor vehicle theft and threatening to kill.

A 15-year-old is facing the same charges plus one count of reckless conduct endangering serious injury. He was remanded in custody while his co-accused was bailed.

Both will appear before a children’s court at a later date.

The third offender is yet to be identified but is believed to have left the vehicle before reaching Maribyrnong.