A 13-year-old girl has been accused of driving a stolen vehicle that allegedly swerved towards a group of men in traditional Jewish attire, in an incident that has sparked concern over hate-driven behaviour in Melbourne. Authorities revealed the teenager, from the Bayside area, was arrested on Tuesday following a string of alleged offences across multiple suburbs.
The first reported incident took place on Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Hotham Street and Glen Eira Road in St Kilda East. According to police, a stolen Hyundai sedan was seen making an illegal turn before its occupants allegedly shouted offensive anti-Jewish remarks at a group nearby. Witnesses further claimed eggs were thrown at pedestrians, while the vehicle swerved dangerously close to at least one individual. The disturbing nature of the incident has raised broader concerns about rising intolerance and public safety in urban communities.
Police investigations later linked the same vehicle to erratic driving behaviour across nearby areas including Hampton, Ripponlea and Caulfield. Authorities confirmed the car had been stolen from a gym in Caulfield prior to the incident, highlighting an escalating pattern of reckless and unlawful activity involving stolen vehicles.
The situation reportedly intensified on Monday evening when a separate stolen silver SUV was involved in a collision with a cyclist along St Kilda Street. It is alleged that an occupant attempted to strike the cyclist using the passenger door before the vehicle rear-ended him and fled the scene. The victim, a 45-year-old man from Brighton, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. Such incidents underscore the growing risks posed by reckless driving and youth-related crime in residential areas.
Further chaos unfolded just after midnight in Elwood, where a stolen white Volkswagen Golf allegedly rammed into two individuals riding an e-scooter along Mitford Street. Both victims were thrown off and collided with a parked car. Police said one of the victims and a bystander began recording the incident, only to be threatened by one of the teenagers before the suspects fled. The vehicle had reportedly been stolen earlier that day from a gym in Burwood.
Officers later spotted the Golf in Black Rock and attempted to intercept it. The vehicle allegedly mounted a footpath while evading police before stop sticks were deployed in East Malvern, bringing the pursuit to an end. Three teenagers — two aged 13 and one aged 16 — were arrested at the scene.
The Bayside teenager now faces a staggering 52 charges, including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, multiple counts of theft and motor vehicle theft, burglary, handling stolen goods, and issuing threats based on protected attributes. She has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before a children’s court. The other two suspects, both from the Cardinia area, have been charged with theft-related offences and released on bail pending court proceedings.
Victoria Police strongly condemned the incidents, reiterating that hate-based actions have no place in society. Investigations remain ongoing as authorities urge witnesses or those with dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward, signalling a continued effort to address both criminal behaviour and community safety concerns.
