A car owner told police he saw two teenage boys trying to break into the car parked outside his house in Challis Street, Newport, about 3.45am on Monday.

At least 18 vehicles & some shops have been tagged with graffiti in Newport this morning @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/XAteSBbVen — Yvette Gray (@yvettegray3AW) March 30, 2014

When he confronted the boys, they ran off along Railway Avenue and were last seen running across railway tracks.

Police suspect two teenage boys who tried to steal a car just before 4 this morning are responsible @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/JbBlKK562s — Yvette Gray (@yvettegray3AW) March 30, 2014

Victoria Police spokesman senior constable Adam West said the boys had graffitied at least 18 cars on the street and tagged several shops before breaking into the car.

Police estimated the vandals caused at least $50,000 in damage.

Resident Katherine Clark, 31, was not amused to find “I’m a pedo” and a picture of handcuffs spray-painted in lurid pink across her white company car.

“I’m just frustrated, like many people around here would be,” she said.

“It’s just such a selfless, annoying and time-wasting act – there’s no reason for them to have done it.”

Another neighbour, full-time carer and part-time patisserie student Rachel Eglington, 22, said it was “pretty shocking to wake up to police knocking on your door in the morning”.

“I have a big penis on my car, and my entire driver’s side to the back is spray-painted pink,” Ms Eglington said.

“My boyfriend’s and my dad’s cars were also damaged, so it was quite a hassle to work out another way to get to the train station this morning.

“It just sucks because I don’t have any insurance.”

Anyone with information about the crime spree – including the owners of the damaged cars – are asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.