Wyndham police are urging car owners to secure their vehicles as new data reveals the majority of vehicles targeted by thieves are unlocked.
Police intelligence shows 63 per cent of vehicles broken into across Wyndham last month had been unlocked. A large portion of cars forcefully broken into had valuables in plain sight.
Opportunistic car thefts and thefts from cars have become so prevalent in Wyndham that police last year established a Vehicle Crime Reduction Team to tackle the issue.
Since February, the dedicated team of detectives have arrested more than 75 alleged thieves in the Wyndham area.
This includes a 29-year-old Tarneit man who last Wednesday was arrested for allegedly stealing identification cards from unlocked vehicles in Point Cook earlier this year.
It will be alleged he then used the stolen IDs to attempt to obtain credit cards worth $20,000, and purchase a mobile phone.
As part of their efforts to raise awareness, detectives have today released vision of several theft from car investigations spanning across this year.
In one incident, an unknown male entered an unlocked vehicle in Tarneit and stole power banks and keys to several different properties about 3am on 13 February.
A number of other males are observed sussing the doors of vehicles across the road.
On another occasion, an unknown male entered a victim’s unlocked BMW in Tarneit and stole a laptop worth $3500 and $500 in cash about 12am on 2 March.
A third incident shows a vehicle approach a parked white Jeep in Tarneit about 1.25am on 2 April.
The offenders stole an $8,000 watch from the glovebox.
While police continue to work around the clock to identify offenders and return stolen items, they want to remind residents that simple measures like removing valuables and locking vehicles can deter thieves.
It is often the case that residents leave expensive and sentimental items in their vehicles – right in the sights of opportunistic thieves.
This includes wallets, phones, laptops, handbags, and large amounts of cash.
Offenders will often use stolen credit cards to purchase high value items or create credit card accounts with stolen identities.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles should report it to police via Triple Zero (000).
For any non-urgent reports call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
Anyone with information about the images released is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Wyndham Vehicle Crime Reduction Team Acting Detective Sergeant Darcy Spence:
“We’re investing significant energy into thefts from cars as we know how much they impact victims and their sense of security.
“When interviewed, offenders are telling us that they try multiple parked cars until they find one that is unlocked.
“That means we really need the community to help us help them.
“Please, lock your car at all times, even if it’s in a secure driveway, and always remove items that you wouldn’t want stolen.”
