Police in Stonnington and Port Phillip have made more than 550 arrests since the start of the year under a new operation targeting opportunistic thieves breaking into unlocked cars.
Operation Ignition commenced on 1 January and in that time, the local Vehicle Crime Team has made hundreds of arrests across Stonnington and Port Phillip, with some offenders caught in the local area after committing thefts in other parts of Victoria.
One of those alleged recidivist thieves is a 49-year-old man from Windsor who has been arrested six times since the start of the year under Operation Ignition.
Police will allege he was involved in 22 thefts from cars and four attempted thefts from cars, as well as stealing four cars from the Melbourne, Port Phillip and Stonnington areas.
He is currently on remand to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ court on 21 August on 80 charges relating to vehicle crime, criminal damage, drug possession, fail to answer bail, handling stolen goods, going equipped to steal, burglary, unlicensed driving, deal with proceeds of crime, and possessing housebreaking implements.
Other arrests of note include:
- A Subaru WRX was allegedly stolen from Delaney on 31 January. Following extensive enquiries, it was revealed three more vehicles had also been stolen, allegedly by the same syndicate. Investigators from the Vehicle Crime Team executed search warrants at two apartments on Kings Way, South Melbourne on 5 August, which uncovered all original plates of the three vehicles, electronics and key cloning devices, as well as a cloned number plate printing device, stencils and software used to manufacture number plates. Police also seized items believed to have been stolen from several cars across Port Phillip.
- A 32-year-old man from South Melbourne was charged with three counts of theft of motor vehicle, as well as handling stolen goods, possess cannabis, going equipped to steal, drive whilst disqualified, and make false document. He was remanded to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 22 September.
- A 28-year-old woman from South Melbourne was arrested in relation to one of the alleged car thefts. She has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, and handling stolen goods. She was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 February 2027.
- A 22-year-old man from Berwick who was at one of the apartments at the time, was arrested over alleged dangerous driving offences while behind the wheel of a stolen car. He has since been charged with dangerous driving while pursued by police, going equipped to steal, drive whilst disqualified, commit indictable offence whilst on bail, and cause to publish material about commission of a relevant offence (new ‘post and boast’ legislation). He was bailed to appear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 1 February 2027.
- An Audi A3 was allegedly stolen from an underground residential carpark following an aggravated burglary in South Melbourne on 12 July 2026. Police will allege three people waited in the underground carpark while two others entered the victim’s apartment and stole car keys. All five then fled in the victim’s car.
- Two 17-year-old girls from the Port Phillip and Bayside areas have been charged with aggravated burglary and theft of motor vehicle. The pair was remanded in custody to appear in a children’s court later this month. Enquiries are ongoing to locate the other people involved.
- A 40-year-old South Melbourne man who police believed is linked to at least three stolen cars. It will be alleged he used a key cloning device to access and steal the vehicles. He has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, handling stolen goods, going equipped to steal, and possessing heroin, methylamphetamine, and 1,4-Butranediol. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on 19 August.
The latest crime data shows thefts from cars account for 20 per cent of all crime across Stonnington and Port Phillip, with both areas seeing an increase in this offence in recent years.
Stolen cars are frequently used to facilitate serious and violent offending, including aggravated burglaries, armed robberies, drug trafficking, arson, and other organised criminal activity.
Due to the success of the six-month trial, Operation Ignition will continue for at least the remainder of 2026 across Stonnington and Port Phillip.
Anyone who witnesses a theft from a vehicle, has their car broken into or stolen, or has any information that could assist the Vehicle Crime Team, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Port Philip Crime Investigation Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Nick Densley:
“Our team has made a significant number of arrests in a relatively short period, and it’s for this reason that Operation Ignition has been extended for at least the remainder of this year.
“The disruption achieved through this operation already will have a tangible impact on reducing offending and enhancing community safety.
“While local police will keep their foot on the accelerator and do everything we can to catch thieves, we’re asking vehicle owners to take simple measures to help prevent these thefts from occurring in the first place.
“Locking your car is the easiest and most effective way of deterring opportunistic thieves, who tell us in interviews they go from car to car until the find one that is unlocked.
“We also advise removing valuables from the car – especially those in plain sight – so as not to tempt opportunistic thieves.”
