More than $30 million worth of stolen cars have been recovered from Victorian “dumps” in the past six months.
More than 1,000 cars, mostly stolen by young travellers, have been found in Dandenong, Cardinia and Casey.
Nearly half were taken from those same areas, police said.
As many as 169 cars were stolen during aggravated robberies, and the estimated value of those vehicles totaled $6.6 million.
Among those recovered were high-end European cars, including Maseratis, BMW, Audi 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, another 411 in Dandenong and 126 in Cardinia.
Nearly $16 million worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered in Casey alone since the beginning of 2024.
More than 1,000 cars, mostly stolen by young travellers, have been found at three ‘dumps’ in Melbourne’s south-east (pictured, some of the vehicles)
Police figures show more than half of the vehicles seized in Victoria came from residential streets and public places such as train stations and shopping center car parks.
Acting Superintendent Andy McKee said Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia are the worst dumping grounds for stolen vehicles in the state.
“In general, we don’t see cars stolen for profit; young and child criminals target high-end vehicles to travel at high speeds around the city,” he said Tuesday.
“Police are very concerned about young children with little or no formal driving experience behind the wheel of stolen vehicles on the roads endangering innocent drivers.”
The vehicles, most of which were allegedly stolen by young drivers, are worth more than $30 million in total and include Maseratis, BMWs, Audis and Mercedes.