Two boys aged 17 and 13 have been arrested after an “extended follow” involving an allegedly stolen white Mazda SUV that was tracked from Dandenong through Melbourne’s south-east and stopped in Berwick, Victoria Police say.
Police said officers first observed the SUV driving erratically in Dandenong about 10.25pm on 16 January 2026. The vehicle then left Dandenong and travelled towards the Melbourne CBD, before returning via the Monash Freeway and heading back towards the south-east.
Police allege the SUV continued to be driven erratically and reached speeds in excess of 200 km/h on the Monash Freeway, a key corridor for the south-east growth belt linking areas including Dandenong, Narre Warren, Berwick and Pakenham.
Stopped In Berwick After Tyre Deflation Devices Deployed
Officers kept covert observations and later deployed tyre deflation devices on the Princes Highway in Berwick, police said.
Two males allegedly ran from the vehicle but were arrested soon after.
Victoria Police said the boys, both from the Cardinia region, are assisting police with enquiries.
Police allege the Mazda was stolen from a residential address in Berwick on 12 January 2026.
Why The Ages Matter In Victoria’s Youth Crime Picture
The arrest of a 13-year-old stands out because youth offending is often discussed in broad terms, but official reporting indicates a smaller cohort can account for a large number of arrests.
In September 2025, the ABC reported Victoria Police arrested 1,128 child offenders aged 10 to 17 a combined 7,118 times, with authorities pointing to repeat arrests as a major driver of the total.
For readers wanting a local snapshot, the Crime Statistics Agency publishes interactive tools that allow crime trends to be viewed by postcode and local government area, including across Melbourne’s south-east.
