Police caught more than 20 burglars, car thieves and dangerous drivers during a four-night operation targeting stolen vehicles in Hume last week.
Five stolen vehicles were also recovered, as Sunbury police and detectives from the Hume Crime Investigation Unit saturated local roads each night, scanning vehicles to detect stolen cars and motorbikes, and arresting individuals wanted on outstanding warrants.
The operation follows an increase in car theft in the area, police said.
Police intelligence reveals almost half of recent car thefts in the area were stolen via unlocked doors.
Those arrested as part of Operation Sneak include a man and a woman who were apprehended about two hours after allegedly stealing a white Toyota sedan from an address in Richmond, which ended up coming to a stop at Melbourne Airport.
The Air Wing observed the vehicle allegedly being driven on the Tullamarine Freeway at of speeds up to 170km/h.
Working with units on the ground, police were able to deploy stop sticks at the intersection of Bulla Road and Balmoral Avenue.
The car eventually came to a stop at Melbourne Airport and two people were arrested.
The alleged driver, a 29-year-old male from no fixed address, was charged with drug driving, theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life, dangerous driving, unlicenced driving, failing to stop and failing to answer bail. He was remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.
The alleged passenger, a 24-year-old female from Broadmeadows, was charged with theft of motor vehicle. She was bailed to appear at court at a later date.
During the operation, police also arrested four people for home burglaries, two people for evading police in a stolen vehicle, seven people for illegal drug possession, with six issued with cautions, two people for outstanding warrants, one person for theft and five disqualified or suspended drivers.
Police said that as a result of the operation they were able to recover five stolen vehicles, issue six fines for driving offences and issue for bench warrants.
Sunbury police Acting Sergeant Shae Morrison said vehicle theft continues to be a priority for police in the Hume area, with offenders arrested every week for this crime.
“Unfortunately, some people fall victim to these opportunistic crimes because their cars are left unlocked, so we’d like to remind the community to always ensure your vehicle is locked, even if it is parked in a secure driveway,” Acting Sergeant Morrison said.
“The message is clear – if you’re travelling around in a stolen vehicle in Hume you can expect to be caught.”
Operation Sneak ran in the Hume area from September 4-7.
