Alarming new police intelligence reveals 65% of cars targeted by thieves across Port Phillip over the past three months were unlocked.
In recent months, police have arrested several opportunistic thieves, including outer suburban offenders who've travelled to Port Phillip to break into cars and teens stealing number plates to aid further offending.
Port Phillip is one of Melbourne's hardest hit areas for car break-ins with 2,148 reports of cars being broken into and items stolen in the twelve months to March 2024.
Over the same timeframe, only eight per cent of vehicles broken into had their windows smashed to gain entry.
In Port Phillip, the most cars were broken into in Port Melbourne (468), St Kilda (412), and South Melbourne (410).
Elwood experienced 195 car break-ins in the twelve months to March 2024, while 180 and 158 were recorded in Albert Park and St Kilda East, respectively.
The number of car thefts in suburbs such as Balaclava, St Kilda West and Ripponlea were much lower.
The most common items nabbed from cars included wallets, loose cash, clothing, and sunglasses, which are more often than not left in plain sight.
Key arrests in the area this year include:
• On 26 July, police were conducting patrols along Acland Street, St Kilda, when they saw a woman allegedly open the boot of a Toyota RAV4 and remove a shopping bag. The driver of the vehicle exited the car, approached the woman and took his bag back. The same woman was then seen continuing to walk down Acland Street, before she allegedly attempted to open the door of a Hyundai i40. The 41-year-old Glen Iris woman was arrested at the scene, allegedly in possession of keys belonging to a Range Rover that had been stolen from Armadale the day before. The woman was charged with theft from motor vehicle, attempted theft from motor vehicle, and handle stolen goods. She was bailed and due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday 11 October.
• On 15 June, a man was seen attempting to gain access to a Blue WRX parked on Danks Street, Port Melbourne, at about 9.30am. The man was then allegedly seen rummaging through the vehicle, before looking inside the boot and bonnet. He fled after being confronted by residents. At around 1.30am the next day, it will be alleged the same man was spotted on the residents' CCTV. Police were called and located two men next to a silver Ford Territory, and inside the vehicle, they uncovered a large amount of power tools and equipment believed to have been stolen. A 33-year-old man from Braybrook was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted theft of motor vehicle, tamper with motor vehicle, receive stolen goods, and deal property suspected stolen goods.
A 43-year-old man from Taylors Lake was charged with deal with property suspected proceeds of crimes, and loiter with intent to commit indictable offence. Both were bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 4 September. Power tools were seized from vehicle and will be returned to their rightful owners.
• Between 7pm on 26 April and 8am on 27 April, the front and rear number plates were stolen from a 2015 Toyota Yaris, parked on Esplanade West, Port Melbourne. It will be alleged the plates were then put on a different vehicle - which had also been stolen - and was used in a theft from a liquor store in Caroline Springs two days later. The plates were recovered on Fitzgerald Road, Laverton North about 1am on 2 May. Following further enquiries, five teens all aged 18 and under, were arrested. Two boys from Meadow Heights aged 18 and 15, two boys aged 18 and 16 from Hoppers Crossing, and a 16-year-old boy from Truganina, were all charged with theft from motor vehicle and theft of motor vehicle. They are all due to appear in children's courts in early August.
• A white C300 Mercedes was allegedly broken into on Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park, between 7pm on 6 May and 8am on 7 May. A spare key to a property - along with a note of its address - as well as a storage key and two pairs of designer sunglasses, were taken from the car. Following enquiries, a 26-year-old man from Port Melbourne was arrested and charged with burglary, aggravated burglary, theft, obtain property by deception, theft from motor vehicle, and theft of motor vehicle. He is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 1 August.
• Between 9pm on 7 April and 11.30am on 9 April, a black Nissan Micra parked on Barkly Street, St Kilda was broken into, with designer sunglasses and coins taken from inside. The owner didn't immediately realise they'd fallen victim, as there were no obvious signs of forced entry. The alleged offender was later spotted on CCTV, checking all doors of the vehicle. A 39-year-old man was arrested on 23 June and was released pending further enquiries.
While local police work tirelessly to investigate these offences and conduct daily and nightly patrols to prevent them from occurring, drivers can take simple measures to also deter would-be thieves who take advantage of unlocked car doors.
No matter how long you leave your vehicle unattended for, by locking the doors and windows and ensuring that no valuables are visible to people walking by you drastically lower your chances of having your items stolen.
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.
Quotes attributable to Port Phillip Local Area Commander Inspector Brett Coloe:
"Police intelligence indicates most offenders who steal from cars are not from this area, with a small percentage of the community feeling entitled to take what isn't theirs.
"St Kilda alone has approximately four million visitors each year. It's an area with very high foot traffic, and not all residents have the luxury of secure garages to park their cars.
"We know that most vehicles targeted are unlocked. It's as simple as pressing a button on your keys; it's a no-brainer way to avoid falling victim.
"We suggest the best way to keep your vehicle safe is by locking it and removing all valuables from inside.
"Don't give opportunistic thieves any reason to go through your car, like an open door to take advantage of."
