A police blitz in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs has led to multiple arrests overnight, including that of a motorcyclist impaired by methylamphetamine, who was clocked travelling at a dangerous 200 km/h.
The arrests were made as part of Operation Advance, an initiative that brings together additional resources from the Dog Squad, Highway Patrol, Divisional Response Unit, Proactive Policing Unit, Police Air Wing, and frontline officers. The operation supports Operation Trinity, which runs nightly across Melbourne to tackle burglars and car thieves.
Among the key incidents from the overnight crackdown were several dramatic arrests, including high-speed chases and the capture of car thieves.
High-Speed Motorcycle Arrest
At approximately 10:00 pm, officers on the Monash Freeway spotted an unregistered 2013 Yamaha motorcycle. As police attempted to intercept the rider near the Huntingdale Road overpass, he allegedly fled at speeds of up to 200 km/h. The Police Air Wing tracked the rider to Pakenham, where the 32-year-old man from Pakenham was apprehended with the assistance of the Dog Squad.
Upon arrest, the man tested positive for methylamphetamine. He was charged with dangerous driving, driving an unregistered vehicle, and driving under the influence of drugs. His motorcycle was impounded. The man was later bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court.
Stolen Mercedes Benz and Other Arrests
At around 10:50 pm, officers identified a 2019 Mercedes Benz with false number plates on the Monash Freeway near Mulgrave. The vehicle, originally stolen from an aggravated burglary in Sorrento last October, was tracked by the Police Air Wing to Rowville, where it was abandoned by the female driver. The 22-year-old woman from Thomastown was arrested at a nearby address. She has been charged with theft of motor vehicle and driving offences, and remains in custody awaiting a court appearance.
Other notable arrests during the operation included a 20-year-old man from Bayswater, who was caught riding an unregistered motorcycle at speeds of up to 180 km/h. He was located by the Dog Squad in Heathmont and was charged with dangerous driving, unlicensed driving, and other offences. His motorbike was also impounded.
Teenage Car Thieves Arrested
In a separate incident at 1:20 am, a stolen 2015 Toyota Corolla was spotted on Warrigal Road, Chadstone. The vehicle had been taken from a gym in Tarneit just an hour earlier. As the car was tracked by the Air Wing, three young offenders fled the vehicle on foot in Drouin. Police quickly arrested the group, consisting of a 15-year-old male and two 15-year-old females. The male was charged with theft of motor vehicle and bailed to appear at a children’s court, while the two females were released pending further investigation.
The Operation Advance blitz highlights the ongoing efforts by Victoria Police to combat criminal activity in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, with multiple arrests made in just a few hours.
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