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Man Charged With More Than 50 Offences After Alleged Carjacking - Melbourne, VIC
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Police have charged a 42-year-old man following an alleged carjacking at Diggers Rest and a series of other alleged offences across Melbourne's north-west.
Victoria Police have charged a 42-year-old man with more than 50 offences following an alleged carjacking in Diggers Rest and a series of other alleged incidents across Melbourne's north-west. Detectives from the Melton Criminal Investigation Unit arrested the man at an address in Melton West on 18 August 2026 before charging him with multiple offences.
Police allege the main incident occurred on 15 August, shortly before 5am, when a man was seen on the Calder Freeway attempting to stop vehicles while holding what appeared to be a roadworks sign. Investigators allege that a 63-year-old man from Horsham slowed his 2023 black Ford F-150 utility after seeing the person on the roadside and attempting to offer assistance.
Police allege the man with the sign then grabbed the driver from his vehicle and drove away in the Ford. The 63-year-old victim was subsequently taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The stolen Ford was later located in Melton.
Detectives allege the same 42-year-old man was also involved in several earlier incidents. Police have listed alleged aggravated burglaries in Melton on 3 August, Harkness on 4 August and another Melton incident on 4 August. They also allege criminal damage occurred in Kurunjang on 4 August, followed by a hit-and-run collision in Melton on 14 August and a firearms-related incident in Diggers Rest on the same day.
Following the investigation, police charged the man with more than 50 offences. The charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated carjacking, possessing a firearm while prohibited from doing so, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and various driving offences.
The accused was remanded in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 August. The court process will determine the outcome of the charges.
Police are continuing to investigate the alleged series of offences. The case demonstrates how investigators connected multiple incidents across Melbourne's north-west during their inquiry into the Diggers Rest carjacking.
The incident also highlights the risks associated with motorists stopping on major roads to assist people who appear to be experiencing vehicle or roadside problems. In this case, police allege that the roadside situation was used to get a driver to stop before the vehicle was taken.
Importantly, all allegations remain allegations unless and until proven in court. The accused has not been convicted of these offences, and the charges will be dealt with through the Victorian court system.
AugustOffencesPoliceAllegeMelton
Victoria Police have charged a 42-year-old man with more than 50 offences following an alleged carjacking in Diggers Rest and a series of other alleged incidents across Melbourne's north-west. Detectives from the Melton Criminal Investigation Unit arrested the man at an address in Melton West on 18 August 2026 before charging him with multiple offences.
Police allege the main incident occurred on 15 August, shortly before 5am, when a man was seen on the Calder Freeway attempting to stop vehicles while holding what appeared to be a roadworks sign. Investigators allege that a 63-year-old man from Horsham slowed his 2023 black Ford F-150 utility after seeing the person on the roadside and attempting to offer assistance.
Police allege the man with the sign then grabbed the driver from his vehicle and drove away in the Ford. The 63-year-old victim was subsequently taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The stolen Ford was later located in Melton.
Detectives allege the same 42-year-old man was also involved in several earlier incidents. Police have listed alleged aggravated burglaries in Melton on 3 August, Harkness on 4 August and another Melton incident on 4 August. They also allege criminal damage occurred in Kurunjang on 4 August, followed by a hit-and-run collision in Melton on 14 August and a firearms-related incident in Diggers Rest on the same day.
Following the investigation, police charged the man with more than 50 offences. The charges include aggravated burglary, aggravated carjacking, possessing a firearm while prohibited from doing so, aggravated assault, burglary, theft and various driving offences.
The accused was remanded in custody and was scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 August. The court process will determine the outcome of the charges.
Police are continuing to investigate the alleged series of offences. The case demonstrates how investigators connected multiple incidents across Melbourne's north-west during their inquiry into the Diggers Rest carjacking.
The incident also highlights the risks associated with motorists stopping on major roads to assist people who appear to be experiencing vehicle or roadside problems. In this case, police allege that the roadside situation was used to get a driver to stop before the vehicle was taken.
Importantly, all allegations remain allegations unless and until proven in court. The accused has not been convicted of these offences, and the charges will be dealt with through the Victorian court system.
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