Eastern Region Crime Squad detectives are investigating a home invasion in Camberwell this morning.
It is understood three male offenders, armed with a hammer and baseball bat, attended the property on Kirkwood Drive about 2.55am.
The offenders smashed their way through a glass window panel, before one offender entered the premises.
One of the occupants, a 46-year-old man, awoke to the noise and found the offender in his living room.
The offender demanded the car keys, before taking them and fleeing through the window.
The three offenders fled in the victim's white 2013 Jeep Cherokee bearing registration ALB050.
A 41-year-old woman and two children were home also at the time.
Uniform officers, along with detectives and Trinity units, responded to the incident within six minutes and began conducting extensive patrols for the offenders and speaking to the victims.
Overall, 12 police units swiftly responded to the incident.
Detectives will continue their enquiries into the incident today and encourage people in the area to check their CCTV cameras and keep an eye out for the stolen Jeep Cherokee.
Quotes attributable to Detective Senior Sergent Justin Mercovich from the Eastern Region Crime Squad:
"It's very concerning that people are prepared to continue to force entry into a property when they know the occupant is there, it would be a terrifying situation for any person to be confronted with.
We will be relentless in our pursuit of these offenders. You cannot commit that type of offending in Victoria and expect to get away with it.
We will absolutely do everything we can do identify them and put them before the courts".
Victoria Police has a dedicated operation targeting burglars and car thieves from dusk to dawn across Melbourne.
On top of standard patrols, there are large numbers of additional police including members of the Dog Squad, Public Order Response and Air Wing, specifically tasked with preventing and responding to burglaries and car thefts each night.
As a result of this intense focus, police arrested 671 burglars and car thieves almost 1,683 times in the twelve months to the end of September 2025.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has CCTV/dash cam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
