Teen speeds after home invaders who robbed McKinnon house twice in same night

A courageous McKinnon teenager has given chase to a trio of masked burglars who stole two of his family’s cars in the one night.

A brave teenager who jumped in his car to chase a crew of aggravated burglars accused of stealing his parent’s vehicles says there was “a whole lot of adrenaline” running through his body as he followed them across the suburbs.

A group of three offenders gained access to the 19-year-old’s family home in McKinnon while he, his two siblings and both parents were relaxing upstairs about 10.30pm on Monday night.

The masked and hooded trio allegedly stole Jamie’s father’s Mercedes sedan before returning hours later to nab his mother’s BMW X3 — taking car keys from the kitchen about 1.15am Tuesday.

Jamie said he heard the family dog barking before he realised both cars had been stolen in two separate aggravated burglaries on the same night.

The 19-year-old jumped in his own car and gave chase to the crew of offenders, who were driving his mother’s SUV.

Homeowner Dani said the burglaries were unnerving. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I jumped out as fast as I could and went straight out. My thinking was to find these guys and follow them until the cops could arrive,” he told the Herald Sun on Wednesday.

“It was a whole lot of adrenaline.

“I followed them for about five minutes and they caught on and brought me down a side street in Elsternwick.”

Jamie said the offenders, still in his mother’s SUV, then rammed his own BMW which caused significant damage.

“They put the car in reverse and rammed into me. At the time I thought they’d force me out of the car,” he added.

“It felt like a movie.”

Jamie’s mother, Dani, said the pair of alleged aggravated burglaries on the same night was unnerving.

She said her brave son had the best intentions at heart.

She said her credit card had been used to order Uber Eats and McDonald’s in the city.

“It’s all replaying in your mind but we’re shaken, upset, nervous and angry,” she told the Herald Sun.

“Jamie is okay, he was shaken but was running on adrenaline. He just sprung into action. He just wanted to do his part and help the police in real time.”

CCTV captured the alleged home invaders entering the property on Monday night. Picture: Supplied

The trio of alleged offenders appeared calm and relaxed. Picture: Supplied

The McKinnon mother-of-three said it was “sad” that innocent victims felt as if they had to assist the under-resourced police.

“It’s a sad state of affairs when civilians have to get involved in crime solving,” she added.

“We are from South Africa originally, this sort of stuff is expected in a third-world country where crime is out of hand, not Australia.”

Jamie said recent news reports of youth offenders carrying out similar alleged crimes had left victims frustrated.

“It’s hard to just let them run away,” he added.

“The police are doing their job but people want to take it into their own hands, especially when it comes to youth crime. These guys are getting away with it.”

Dani’s SUV was found dumped in Elsternwick but the Mercedes was on Wednesday afternoon yet to be located.

Victoria Police said the three alleged offenders were also yet to be located.

Originally published as Teen speeds after home invaders who robbed McKinnon house twice in same night