Police arrested 10 people and seized three stolen vehicles during an overnight car theft operation in Brimbank.
Operation Ghost ran for three nights from October 10 to October 12, with police targeting people breaking into and stealing cars.
Officers honed in on shopping centre and railway station car parks in Sunshine, St Albans, and Taylors Lakes, as well as residential areas.
It followed police intelligence which revealed thieves commonly target public parking areas and try multiple cars until they find one that is unlocked to steal or take items inside.
The targeted patrols, which aimed to deter offending, also led to police locating three unoccupied stolen vehicles at carparks in Deer Park and St Albans.
A 66-year-old Sunshine West man was arrested during a search warrant in Caroline Springs on October 11.
A search of the address located trafficable quantities of methylamphetamine and heroin, police said.
He was charged with drug trafficking and bailed to appear before Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on January 23.
A 25-year-old Sunshine West man was also arrested at the address for an outstanding warrant.
A 37-year-old Footscray man was allegedly caught driving erratically on Ballarat Road in Sunshine about 3.30am on October 11.
A search of his vehicle uncovered an extendable baton, a quantity of methylamphetamine, cannabis and prescription medication, according to police.
A 25-year-old Tarneit man was observed driving with allegedly stolen number plates in St Albans on October 12.
A subsequent search of the man also located heroin in this possession, police said.
Brimbank Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Raj Tillekeratne said police are working hard to stay on top of vehicle theft, but need the community to ensure their doors are locked.
“Vehicle theft is often opportunistic. In fact, we know offenders actively target unlocked vehicles,” he said.
“The best thing the community can do to prevent thefts is to ensure their cars are locked at all times and valuables removed from plain sight.
More than 600 vehicles were checked over the weekend, with two cars impounded for speed related offences.
