Six African males have been dramatically arrested by heavily armed police on a Melbourne freeway, causing traffic chaos and leaving cars banked up for kilometres.
The Monash Freeway was shut down on Tuesday afternoon after a long police chase that began as the result of an alleged crime spree across the city.
Victoria Police allege the group stole a Nissan Patrol and an Audi SQ5 from a property on Clonaig Street in Brighton East at about 5.30am, and then carried out a second home invasion in Hampton Park at about 7.45am. No one was injured in either incident.
The Monash Freeway closed following a high speed chase across Melbourne.
Oh look, the usual criminals. https://t.co/YsN337JeCM
— Jet Ski Bandit (@fulovitboss) October 6, 2026
The 4WD was spotted being driven erratically in Doveton about 8am, and police began a pursuit with assistance of the Police Air Wing, following the vehicle through multiple eastern and south-eastern suburbs on the Eastlink and Monash Freeway.
Police said the Nissan was finally intercepted about midday, which caused all outbound lanes to be closed. The Audi SQ5 was located in Endeavour Hills and recovered by police.
Four teenagers aged between 16 and 17 were arrested, along with two men, aged 19 and 20, and were taken into custody to be interviewed by detectives.
Two of the alleged offenders were on bail at the time, 9News reported.
One is in hospital with a brain injury suffered during the arrest, and he is also expected to be charged over an alleged armed robbery at a McDonald’s in Cranbourne earlier this morning.
Charges are yet to be laid.
Header image: Left, right, the males being arrested (9News).
