Mazda CX-3 used by teens to ram police car

An L-plater has been arrested for allegedly ramming a police car in a stolen small SUV after taking it on a joyride across Melbourne’s east.

The 17-year-old learner driver, and another teenager, are accused of stealing a red Mazda CX-3 in Croydon in the city’s outer eastern suburbs in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police first spotted the stolen vehicle in Main Street before losing track of it, calling in the Air Wing to assist – later finding it stationary in Surrey Road with the pair hiding inside.

When police moved in, they allege the teenage driver used the Mazda to ram a police car to try and escape the cordon that had been set up.

A 17-year-old Ringwood boy has been charged with; 'damage to an emergency service vehicle by reckless driving', 'theft of motor vehicle', two counts of 'handle stolen goods', 'learner driver without accompanying supervisor', 'shop theft' and 'driving in manner dangerous'.

He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

An 18-year-old man from Bayswater was also charged with 'theft of motor vehicle' and 'handle stolen goods', and was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 15 November, 2024.

Burglars and car thieves have been specifically targeted each night since March 2023 by Victoria Police through Operation Trinity. 

Police have made more than 1450 arrests relating to burglaries and car thefts in the past twelve months as part of the sting, with a further 6600 people processed for other offences detected by police across the Trinity area of operations.