A 53-year-old Dromana woman was carjacked during a chaotic three-hour police pursuit in Frankston on 16 December 2024, highlighting concerns about the rising crime rate in the region. The incident resulted in multiple arrests.
The pursuit began at 2 pm when police identified a stolen vehicle on White Street in Mordialloc. With assistance from the Police Air Wing, the vehicle was tracked to an underground car park on Cranbourne Road, Frankston.
The suspects abandoned the first vehicle and allegedly stole another car, continuing to drive dangerously through Melbourne’s south-east. Stop sticks deployed on Beach Street forced the vehicle onto three wheels, but the driver managed to return to the Cranbourne Road car park.
At approximately 5 pm, the group allegedly carjacked the Dromana woman, forcing her from her vehicle. Although shaken, she was unharmed. The suspects collided with a barrier and a police car during their attempted escape in her vehicle before abandoning it. Officers used tasers during the arrests.
Arrests and Charges
- 17-year-old Ivanhoe boy: Alleged driver, hospitalised under police guard with serious injuries.
- 17-year-old Mornington boy: Charged with carjacking, motor vehicle theft, unlawful assault, and unlicensed driving; remanded to a children’s court.
- 16-year-old Seaford boy: Charged with motor vehicle theft; remanded to a children’s court.
- 18-year-old Frankston North woman: Charged with carjacking, motor vehicle theft, and unlawful assault; bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 13 January.
- 22-year-old Langwarrin man: Charged with possession of a prohibited weapon; bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 January.
No officers were injured during the operation. The investigation is ongoing.
This incident comes amid recent statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency, which show an increase in motor vehicle theft and carjacking offences in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula regions over the past year.
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