Melbourne: Hundreds of stolen luxury cars worth up to $30million found in three ‘dumping grounds’ used by joyriding youths at Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey
More than $30 million worth of stolen cars have been recovered from ‘landfills’ in Victoria in the past six months.
More than a thousand cars have been found in Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey, most of which were stolen by young joyriders.
Nearly half came from those same areas, police said.
As many as 169 cars were stolen in aggravated burglaries, with the estimated value of those vehicles totaling $6.6 million.
Among the recovered examples were high-end European cars including Maseratis, BMWs, Audis and Mercedes, as well as six Porsches.
Several Range Rovers and Jaguars were also found.
Since January 1, Victoria Police have recovered 468 stolen vehicles in Casey, a further 411 in Dandenong and 126 in Cardinia.
Since the beginning of 2024, nearly $16 million worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered in Casey alone.
More than 1,000 cars β largely stolen by young joyriders β have been found at three ‘dumps’ in Melbourne’s south-east (pictured, some vehicles)
Police figures show more than half of vehicles taken across Victoria came from residential streets and public locations such as train stations and shopping center car parks.
Acting Chief Inspector Andy McKee said Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia were the worst dumping grounds in the state for stolen vehicles.
‘Generally speaking, we don’t see cars being stolen for profit; juvenile and child delinquents are targeting certain luxury vehicles to joyride around the city at high speed,β he said on Tuesday.
‘Police are very concerned about young children with little to no formal driving experience behind the wheel of stolen vehicles on the road and endangering innocent motorists.’
The vehicles, most of which were reportedly stolen by young joyriders, are worth more than $30 million in total and include Maseratis, BMWs, Audis and Mercedes.