Operation TEDDY and theft from motor vehicles in Southank
Happy New Year to all of you. I trust you enjoyed the festive season and managed to spend time with loved ones and take a well-deserved break.
I start with some excellent news regarding the arrest of a serial theft-from-motor-vehicle thief during Operation TEDDY.
A man facing 70 charges for allegedly breaking into vehicles across car parks in the city and stealing items has been arrested as part of an operation targeting thieves. Officers from the Melbourne Proactive Policing Unit and Neighbourhood Policing Team have been running an operation around the city’s multi-level car parks during early February.
The operation comes following a 70 per cent increase in reports of thefts from cars across Melbourne, with a large majority occurring through unlocked doors or open windows.
As part of the operation, officers saturated Melbourne’s car parks over two nights, providing both a highly visible and covert presence. Police arrested a 34-year-old man after observing him entering a carpark in Melbourne’s CBD. The man arrested is alleged to be a prolific thief, responsible for nearly 40 thefts of cars and other items located inside cars worth up to $60,000 across car parks in Melbourne.
The man was located with an angle grinder, bolt cutters, pliers and a multi-tool which were seized by police. He was charged with burglary, theft of motor vehicle, loiter with intent to steal, criminal damage, and 38 counts of theft from motor vehicle. He was remanded and directly presented to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. The operation ran from January 27 to 28.
Police will continue to patrol car parks and other populated areas across the city.
Police are urging residents to take precautions with their vehicles and valuables by following these simple steps to help reduce the risk of thefts:
Remove all valuables
Do not leave any valuables in your car, take them with you. Do not leave personal documents such as registration or insurance paperwork that disclose your home address in the glove box. Do not leave house keys or garage door remotes in the car, they may be stolen and used in home burglaries.
Lock up
Always lock your car – at the petrol station, going into the convenience store or even at home in your garage or carpark.
Secure your car
Park in a well-lit area close to any CCTV if possible. Thieves do not want to be caught breaking into cars or risk being identified from security footage.
An issue specific to Southbank residents is preventing tailgating through residential carpark entries. This is often the way thieves enter carparks to steal from storage cages or cars.
Take the time to allow the roller door to close after your car has either entered or left the carpark. This ensures that your carpark remains secure. Ensure any lost or stolen fobs are cancelled straight away.
These small steps all make a difference to the safety and security of you and your fellow residents. •

Livestock trial commences through Citylink tunnels
