Mystery vandal scratches over 30 cars in bizarre crime spree
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If you’re in the suburbs—or know someone who is—it might be worth looking at your car after parking on the street.
A puzzling series of incidents has left dozens of vehicles damaged, raising concern in an area not usually known for this kind of trouble.
Authorities are still trying to piece together what happened and why.
The culprit? Police are on the hunt for a woman who was caught on multiple security cameras calmly strolling up to parked cars and dragging a sharp object along their sides.
The footage shows her moving from street to street, sometimes even crossing the road to continue her destructive path, leaving a trail of angry and bewildered car owners in her wake.
A calculated crime with no clear motive
What makes this case so unusual is the apparent lack of motive.
According to Victoria Police Detective Leeanne Trusler, the woman’s actions seem completely random.
‘I think they've just run amuck and gone, 'I'm just going to scratch the cars',’ she said. ‘I can't see any rhyme or reason to the offending.’
The vandal’s spree lasted for more than an hour, with at least seven streets targeted.
In each case, she is believed to have driven to the area, parked her own car, and then walked up and down the street, methodically scratching vehicles as she went.
The damage bill is a staggering $100,000 and counting.
Rod Gebert, one of the more than 30 affected car owners, is now waiting for a police report so he can lodge an insurance claim.
‘It's just the nature of it, to sort of consciously and deliberately do that to a whole bunch of cars in the street to me is just very strange,’ he said.
How common is car vandalism in Australia?
While this particular incident is especially brazen, car vandalism is unfortunately not uncommon in Australia.
According to recent insurance data, thousands of Australians make claims for malicious damage to their vehicles every year, ranging from key scratches and broken mirrors to smashed windows and slashed tyres.
For many, the financial and emotional toll can be significant—especially for seniors who may rely on their vehicles for independence and social connection.
With the cost of living on the rise, the last thing anyone needs is an unexpected repair bill.
What should you do if your car is vandalised?
If you find your car has been damaged, start by taking clear photos of the affected areas from different angles, then report the incident to police—this helps with insurance and may assist in identifying who’s responsible.
Contact your insurer with the report number and images, and check if any nearby homes or businesses have CCTV that could reveal what happened.
If you're in an area where similar incidents have occurred, stay alert and report any suspicious behaviour to authorities.
How can you protect your car from vandalism?
Although no measure can fully prevent vandalism, there are ways to lower the risk—such as parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas, using a garage or secure driveway if available, and installing a dashcam or security camera.
Building strong connections with neighbours can also help, as watchful communities are less likely to be targeted.
Always report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
Community response and the importance of vigilance
Incidents like this can be unsettling, but they also remind us of the importance of community vigilance.
If you recognise the woman or the car she was driving, Victoria Police urge you to come forward.
Your information could help prevent further damage and bring peace of mind back to your neighbourhood.
Credit: YouTube
Have you or someone you know ever been the victim of car vandalism? How did you handle it, and do you have any tips for fellow members to protect their vehicles? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.
A puzzling series of incidents has left dozens of vehicles damaged, raising concern in an area not usually known for this kind of trouble.
Authorities are still trying to piece together what happened and why.
The culprit? Police are on the hunt for a woman who was caught on multiple security cameras calmly strolling up to parked cars and dragging a sharp object along their sides.
The footage shows her moving from street to street, sometimes even crossing the road to continue her destructive path, leaving a trail of angry and bewildered car owners in her wake.
Over 30 cars were damaged in a bizarre vandalism spree across streets in Melbourne’s east. Credit: YouTube
A calculated crime with no clear motive
What makes this case so unusual is the apparent lack of motive.
According to Victoria Police Detective Leeanne Trusler, the woman’s actions seem completely random.
‘I think they've just run amuck and gone, 'I'm just going to scratch the cars',’ she said. ‘I can't see any rhyme or reason to the offending.’
The vandal’s spree lasted for more than an hour, with at least seven streets targeted.
In each case, she is believed to have driven to the area, parked her own car, and then walked up and down the street, methodically scratching vehicles as she went.
The damage bill is a staggering $100,000 and counting.
Rod Gebert, one of the more than 30 affected car owners, is now waiting for a police report so he can lodge an insurance claim.
‘It's just the nature of it, to sort of consciously and deliberately do that to a whole bunch of cars in the street to me is just very strange,’ he said.
While this particular incident is especially brazen, car vandalism is unfortunately not uncommon in Australia.
According to recent insurance data, thousands of Australians make claims for malicious damage to their vehicles every year, ranging from key scratches and broken mirrors to smashed windows and slashed tyres.
For many, the financial and emotional toll can be significant—especially for seniors who may rely on their vehicles for independence and social connection.
With the cost of living on the rise, the last thing anyone needs is an unexpected repair bill.
What should you do if your car is vandalised?
If you find your car has been damaged, start by taking clear photos of the affected areas from different angles, then report the incident to police—this helps with insurance and may assist in identifying who’s responsible.
Contact your insurer with the report number and images, and check if any nearby homes or businesses have CCTV that could reveal what happened.
If you're in an area where similar incidents have occurred, stay alert and report any suspicious behaviour to authorities.
How can you protect your car from vandalism?
Although no measure can fully prevent vandalism, there are ways to lower the risk—such as parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas, using a garage or secure driveway if available, and installing a dashcam or security camera.
Building strong connections with neighbours can also help, as watchful communities are less likely to be targeted.
Always report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
Community response and the importance of vigilance
Incidents like this can be unsettling, but they also remind us of the importance of community vigilance.
If you recognise the woman or the car she was driving, Victoria Police urge you to come forward.
Your information could help prevent further damage and bring peace of mind back to your neighbourhood.
Credit: YouTube
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