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4WDs a popular target for car thieves in Ipswich

FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVES are being targeted by car thieves due to their ruggedness, according to Ipswich police.

DEVASTATED: Thomas Keane, 20, had his Nissan Patrol stolen from outside his house in Springfield. Picture: Sarah Harvey
DEVASTATED: Thomas Keane, 20, had his Nissan Patrol stolen from outside his house in Springfield. Picture: Sarah Harvey

FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVES are being targeted by car thieves due to their ruggedness, according to Ipswich police.

While stressing that thieves were opportunistic and would break into any car makes, Ipswich police inspector Keith McDonald said four-wheel-drives were particularly appealing targets.

For Springfield man Thomas Keane, the theft of his 2000 Nissan Patrol from outside his house was devastating. He had spent thousands improving the car, including installing diff locks and a winch.

His father Michael Keane said he believed older Patrols had been targeted after having heard of a number of others being taken.

He said he believed the 4.2L engine in older Patrol models made the car valuable for thieves.

"I've got a 2006 Patrol," he said. "That's a seven-year-old car and I've got offers for it as much as I paid for the car when I bought it.

"Around the time when Thomas' car was taken, we heard of four or five others being taken too."

Mr Keane said they had been able to track the initial movements of the stolen car through a toll tag.

"Thomas noticed the car was missing at about 6am. Then at about 10.20am it registered on the toll road. It had stayed in the area until then."

He said he believed the thieves had then thrown the tag out of the car, because the car was picked up by number-plate recognition cameras leaving the toll road without registering on the tag.

Insp McDonald said that while car thefts were down on last year, they remained a significant criminal activity in Ipswich.

"We have shown a slight decrease in unlawful use, but the numbers are still high," he said.

According to police figures, 235 car thefts and unlawful use of motor vehicle charges have been laid in the Ipswich area so far this year. There were 1789 charges laid for the offences in 2013, more than in any other year since 2001.

Insp McDonald said four-wheel-drives appealed to car thieves due to their ruggedness.

"Cars like a four-wheel-drive can take a lot more hard use than say a sedan," he said.

"SUVs and four-wheel-drives have a better ability to assist their unlawful activities.

"That said, there are certainly a lot of sedans taken as well."

Insp McDonald urged people to put their car keys somewhere secure inside their house, not on the kitchen table.

SECURING YOUR VEHICLE

  • Make sure the vehicle is locked, including the boot and sun roof, and windows are closed.
  • Use off-street or secure parking whenever possible.
  • Don't hide spare keys in the vehicle.
  • Keep keys out of sight, not on tables, benches or hooks.

Originally published as 4WDs a popular target for car thieves in Ipswich

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ipswich/4wds-a-popular-target-for-car-thieves-in-ipswich/news-story/a5b4ac905ecf35725015bde4cc8f9997