Rosebud, 4 September 2025 — Victoria Police have arrested six male youths, aged between 17 and 21, after a violent and coordinated home invasion in Rosebud, fuelling growing community anger over youth crime and renewed calls for the state government to act.
Armed Break-In
At about 2:50 am Thursday, the group allegedly forced entry into a Bilbul Avenue home. A man and woman inside barricaded themselves in a bedroom but were confronted by offenders armed with two firearms and a knife.
The pair were ordered to hand over valuables, with around $1,000 in cash stolen. Both sustained minor injuries in the ordeal.
The youths fled in a white Mercedes SUV. Police tracked the vehicle on Peninsula Link near Moorooduc, where it was reportedly driven at speeds of up to 150 km/h. The car later reappeared in Thornbury, where another break-in occurred at an unoccupied house.
Swift Arrests
Operation Trinity officers located and arrested the group soon after. The six remain in custody and are expected to face charges including aggravated burglary, theft, and weapons offences.
Acting Commander Adrian Healy praised the rapid response, describing the case as “a clear demonstration of Trinity’s ability to coordinate units quickly to prevent further community harm.”
A Pattern of Violence
The Rosebud case is not isolated. In the 12 months to the end of July 2025, Operation Trinity recorded:
- 661 unique offenders arrested 1,701 times in connection with aggravated burglaries where vehicles were stolen.
- 1,861 burglaries linked to those arrests.
- 66.4% of arrests involved child offenders aged 10–17.
- 86.2% of arrests involved offenders aged under 25.
Despite more than 1,700 arrests in a single year, police continue to confront nightly break-ins, high-speed chases, and increasingly armed offenders.
Community Fear and Frustration
For many residents, those numbers confirm what they already feel: the problem is escalating, and the community is left exposed.
People across the Mornington Peninsula say they no longer feel safe walking the streets at night—or even in broad daylight. Parents speak of keeping children indoors and locking homes early, while local forums fill with accounts of prowlers and suspicious behaviour.
While frontline police carry the brunt of the response, frustration is increasingly directed at state leaders. Many argue the real failure lies elsewhere, with weak youth justice outcomes and limited early-intervention programs leaving communities vulnerable.
“It’s not the police’s fault—they can only do so much,” one Rosebud resident told STPL News. “The government needs to get serious about this before someone gets killed.”
What’s Next
- Charges pending: The six arrested remain in custody.
- Public debate: The case is expected to intensify calls for stronger youth justice reforms.
- Ongoing threat: With two-thirds of arrests involving children, police warn that without government action, the cycle of violence and high-speed crime will continue.
