Arrests as Geelong police crack down on allegedly tech-savvy car thieves

Geelong detectives have arrested number of alleged car thieves in the past six months – and there’s one thing they’ve all had in common.

As car theft across the state surges, some thieves are turning to more sophisticated methods – but there are ways to deter would-be crooks.

Geelong detectives have made a number of arrests as part of an investigation into cars being stolen using key reprogramming devices.

Officers from the Geelong Crime Response Unit have swooped on three men allegedly connected to cars being stolen using the devices in the past six months.

It comes after the Geelong Advertiser revealed a surge of car thefts targeting Holdens in January.

As many as one in five cars are stolen using third-party electronic devices, Victoria Police estimates, in cases where no associated burglary, robbery or carjacking has taken place.

The devices are plugged into cars via an on-board diagnostic port and are used to override the security system and start the engine.

Geelong detective senior sergeant Ben Jarman said criminals were always looking for new ways to steal cars, but police were “working just as hard to stay ahead of them”.

“We strongly encourage vehicle owners to consider installing an on-board diagnostic port lock that will deter offenders using this technology,” Sgt Jarman said.

“While it does come with a cost, it’s far less than the financial and emotional burden of having your car stolen.”

A 26-year-old Moolap man was arrested on January 15 this year, after an allegedly stolen Holden Commodore was seen driving erratically in Norlane, before it crashed into a tree.

A search of the car revealed ice, a key reprogramming device, balaclava and gloves. The 26-year-old was charged with drug and theft-related offences and was remanded in custody.

A 32-year-old Drysdale man was arrested by police on December 27, after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle taken from outside an East Geelong home between December 21-22.

The man was allegedly seen driven dangerously at high speeds in Geelong before police deployed stop sticks. He fled on foot but was arrested nearby.

Police allegedly found a balaclava, gloves and a key reprogramming device in the car.

A 32-year-old Breakwater man was arrested on February 3 in connection with a December incident.

Police attempted to intercept an allegedly stolen car bearing fraudulent plates in Geelong West.

The driver failed to stop, and the vehicle was recovered in Lara – a search revealing it contained ice, 1.4 butanediol and a key reprogramming device.

The 32-year-old was charged with drug possession, failing to stop on police direction, disqualified driving and going equipped to steal.

Certain makes and models, such as those manufactured in the mid-2010s, with electronic push buttons are being targeted as they are susceptible to the new technology with no ignition key is required.

In 2024, just under 29,000 cars were stolen across Victoria, an increase of more than 40 per cent on the year before and the highest level since 2002.

While a surge in Holden thefts has been highly publicised, thefts of Subarus and Toyota have also increased markedly.

Police are urging owners of these vehicles to look into measures to deter thieves, including an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device.

Originally published as Arrests as Geelong police crack down on allegedly tech-savvy car thieves