Four men have been charged over a series of car thefts across Melbourne’s north and west, with police recovering 21 vehicles allegedly stolen by the group.
Police say the alleged syndicate has targeted vehicles in public car parks, on the street and at private businesses across multiple Melbourne suburbs, including Coolaroo, Footscray, Gisborne, Derrimut, Deer Park, Diggers Rest, Port Melbourne, Thomastown and Tullamarine.
Among the 21 vehicles recovered were a Bobcat, a tow truck, a minibus, a custom Holden Caprice, a Toyota Hilux, a Ford Ranger, and several trailers and motorcycles.
Police recovered a Bobcat, allegedly stolen by the group, (Supplied: Victoria Police)
Investigators allege the group predominantly used third-party electronic key-reprogramming devices to steal the vehicles and seized multiple devices as part of their investigation.
Police first recovered 10 vehicles following a search of a Wildwood property north-west of Melbourne on February 3.Â
The next week, police searched properties in Melton, Ascot Vale, Sunbury and Craigieburn, recovering 11 more vehicles and arresting two men alleged to be ringleaders.
Two Sunbury men, aged 34 and 35, have been charged with more than 60 offences, including multiple counts of burglary, theft of and from a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods, recklessly exposing police to risk by driving, and multiple counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.
The two men are due to face Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on March 3.
Two other men from Wildwood were charged with handling stolen goods and were bailed to appear at court at a later date.
Police allege the men predominantly used key reprogramming devices to steal cars. (Supplied: Victoria Police)
Hume CIU Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Joe Hartwig said police were prioritising investigations of car theft, which has seen an increase across Victoria in recent years.
“Those responsible will continue to be held to account by our relentless investigators,” he said.
“We’ll also continue to run dedicated operations to help prevent thefts from occurring in the first place.”
Victoria Police warned that the use of third-party electronic key reprogramming devices in car thefts is increasing, with one in five stolen cars now being stolen using this method.
Police urged Victorians to invest in preventative measures such as on-board diagnostic (OBD) port locks.