Melbourne Teens Arrested After Home Car Thefts

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Two Melbourne families were left shaken after a group of teenagers allegedly broke into their homes and stole cars while the occupants slept.

Peter Morgan and his pregnant wife were woken just after 1 a.m. in Maidstone, in Melbourne’s north-west, when their dog started barking at intruders outside. A doorbell camera captured one of the teenagers before he reportedly climbed over a fence and entered the house through the back door.

Police said the teenagers took Morgan’s Volkswagen, along with two watches. Three hours later, the car was returned, but the group allegedly used it again to break into a neighbour’s home.

“I thought they were returning it because they felt bad, given my wife is 33 weeks pregnant,” Morgan said. “But then they used our car to break into the neighbour’s car. My wife’s life and our unborn child’s life were at risk.”

The neighbour, Victor, tracked his Honda SUV as it was driven from Maribyrnong to a service station in Deer Park, where his credit card was reportedly charged twice. Police were contacted, and the car was later traced to Inkerman Street in Maidstone. During the same night, one of the teenagers allegedly attempted to steal a Mitsubishi Triton before police made arrests.

All four teenagers were taken into custody. Two were later released, while the other two appeared before a Magistrate. Court proceedings revealed that one of the boys admitted to using heroin and methamphetamine. He was granted bail, but his co-accused remains in custody.

Both the Volkswagen and Honda SUVs were recovered, but police confirmed the vehicles were unfit to drive. This has left the families without transport, just weeks before Morgan’s baby is due.

“It’s scary. Somebody has to be held accountable for this because it is not acceptable,” Morgan said.

Victoria Police confirmed investigations are ongoing and urged anyone with information about the robberies to come forward. The incident adds to growing concerns about youth crime in Melbourne’s suburbs, with families now calling for stronger measures to ensure community safety.