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 showed 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, May 29, 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 efforts to raise awareness, police have released vision of several thefts from cars that have occurred 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 February 13.
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 midnight on March 2.
A third incident shows a vehicle approach a parked white Jeep in Tarneit about 1.25am on April 2.
The offenders stole an $8000 watch from the glovebox.
While investigations into these incidents are continuing, Police are reminding car owners that simple measures like removing valuables and locking vehicles can deter thieves.
Wyndham Vehicle Crime Reduction Team Acting Detective Sergeant Darcy Spence said discussions police have had thieves they’ve apprehended confirms this.
“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,” Acting Detective Sergeant Spence said.
“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.”
Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles should report it to police via triple-0.
Anyone with information about the images released is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
