Burger stop ends in car theft near Melbourne CBD
A car was stolen early Wednesday morning while the driver was ordering a late-night burger.
The incident occurred around 1 am on La Trobe Street in South Melbourne.
According to police, the vehicle was left running as the owner went to collect his order. When the owner returned, he discovered his car was missing. "His taste buds may have been satisfied but the rest of him was anything but when he returned to find his car had been stolen by an opportunistic offender," police stated.
The stolen vehicle was subsequently tracked by police, with assistance from the Air Wing providing overhead surveillance. The Lexus was observed stopping near the intersection of Clarendon and Bank Streets in South Melbourne at approximately 2 am.
"A man was seen exiting the vehicle, which police swiftly blocked in," authorities reported. "The man allegedly attempted to run back to the car and aggressively resisted arrest."
Police deployed a taser to subdue the man, who was then arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.
In light of the incident, police have urged the community to take basic security precautions. "Police implore the community to take simple steps such as locking all doors and windows on your home and car," they advised. "The data is undeniable — if you lock your doors, your chances of falling victim dramatically decrease."
Authorities are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the theft or the subsequent arrest, or who possesses CCTV or dashcam footage or any relevant information, to contact Crime Stoppers.
Jonathan Jackson, 14th May 2025
