A family of six took refuge in a locked bedroom as a criminal gang smashed into their Melbourne home, stealing two cars.

Four or five offenders broke a front window to get inside the Heather Grove, Springvale, home about 1.45am on Sunday morning, police say.

A man heard the break-in, hiding his wife, three children, father-in-law and himself in a back bedroom.

The gang took off with the family’s two cars, an Audi and Toyota Camry.

Police have since found the Audi abandoned on Leonard Avenue, Noble Park.

The Toyota was seen by police on Bourke Street in Melbourne about 3.30am, but it escaped travelling north on Elizabeth Street.

A wave of home invasions and carjackings across Victoria saw the launch of Operation Cosmas in May.

Since the operation started, about 80 people have been arrested.