Thieves are targeting unlocked cars and stealing valuable items across Melbourne‘s suburbs, leaving victims to count the costs of their lost property.
Police data has revealed a surge in theft from motor vehicles, which has soared to 19 per cent across the state.
Last year more than 20,000 cars were stolen compared to more than 16,000 in the previous year.
Immigration lawyer Payal Kaur had her designer handbag, Gucci sunglasses and Macbook Pro stolen by a thief recently.
“I was really, really panicked,” Kaur told 9News Melbourne.
Kaur is desperate to get her laptop back as it contains highly sensitive information.
“Clients’ passport details, visa details, card details, so I don’t want that to be misused in any way,” Kaur said.
Payal and her husband tracked the Apple device to a nearby home, knocked on the door and demanded the stolen goods be handed over.
“I questioned him, ‘Where did you get the laptop from’, he said Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree, he doesn’t remember,” Kaur said.
Sergeant Darcy Spence from the Wyndham Vehicle Crime Reduction Team said police have seen a significant jump in thieves targeting unlocked vehicles.
“They are just trying every single car until they find an unlocked door handle,” Spence said.
A rise in car thefts has also resulted in a rise in insurance premiums.
“Cars are being trashed and written off, it’s a big cost for insurers to replace,” Canstar CEO Steve Mickenbecker told 9News Melbourne.
According to Canstar, Victorians spent $2195 on average for comprehensive car insurance premiums last year, which is an extra $310 from the previous year, a jump of 16 per cent.
Last year alone close to 2000 vehicles were broken into or had items stolen in the Wyndham area.
Police intelligence shows more than 63 per cent of cars broken into in April had no signs of forced entry.
Thieves are also hacking into vehicles arming themselves with devices used to trick the car into thinking the keys are there.
“If you’re leaving your car unlocked, you could be void of your policy,” Mickenbecker said.
