Police have arrested three girls after an allegedly stolen hatchback was tracked across Melbourne’s southern and eastern suburbs in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Victoria Police said the incident began about 12.30am and ended after the vehicle was brought to a stop in Mount Waverley.
According to police, officers first spotted the hatch near Nepean Highway in the Bayside area. Observations were then kept on the vehicle as it travelled via Dingley Bypass and Springvale Road, before continuing along major arterials including Eastlink, Princes Highway and the Monash Freeway.
Police said the car later exited at Warragul Road, where officers successfully deployed vehicle immobilisation devices on Dandenong Road, East Malvern. The vehicle eventually stopped on Waverley Road near Forster Road, Mount Waverley, where the three occupants were taken into custody.
Victoria Police said those arrested were two 13-year-old girls and one 16-year-old girl, all of whom are assisting investigators with enquiries. Detectives are also working to establish whether the vehicle is linked to other recent offending in the area.
The matter remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has footage or information, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report anonymously online. The Victoria Police media release was published at 2.45am on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
