Plea for stolen car’s return a year on from brazen theft as RAA reveals increase in vehicle thefts

Car thefts have jumped by almost 25pc, despite advances in CCTV technology. Here’s what you can do to lessen your chances of falling victim.

When Alex Scott’s car was stolen from his workplace in broad daylight, he was swift to gather evidence to have the offenders held accountable and his pride and joy returned.

But more than a year on, neither has happened.

Despite extensive CCTV footage of the brazen theft from a North Plympton workplace on May 3 last year, the Dover Gardens man’s ice blue VL Calais is still not accounted for.

Mr Scott is confident he knows who took it, but police dropped all charges against the suspect due to a “lack of evidence.”

Now Mr Scott is making another desperate plea to have his first car returned.

“It’s been a year since it was stolen and towed away from my work in broad daylight,” he said.

“I still believe it’s out there somewhere, more than likely in storage, someone knows where it is.”

Alex Scott's car being towed away from his workplace by thieves. Picture: Supplied

The CCTV shows two men lurking at the front of Mr Scott’s workplace, before hooking the car up to a Subaru just after 3.30pm.

The pair drive off with the vehicle, with one man seated in the driver’s seat of the Subaru and another in Mr Scott’s vehicle.

Things go awry when the strap used to tow the vehicle snaps on Morphett Rd during peak school pick-up time.

But the brazen thieves were not deterred in their quest to steal the vehicle, using the Subaru to push the car down Morphett Rd and into an apartment building complex. The car hasn’t been seen since.

The tow strap breaks on Morphett Rd.

“It was my first car which I had for 16 years and means more to me than just money – I intended to fully restore is and keep it forever,” Mr Scott said.

“If anyone has any information or has seen an ice blue VL Calais in Adelaide there is a chance it could be mine, I’d love them to take a photo and get in touch with me on Facebook – there is a cash reward for it to be found and returned.”

The RAA has revealed car theft was up by 24 per cent in the first four months of 2023 compared with the same time in 2022.

The increase in stolen vehicles comes despite Australian used-car values falling by around 10 per cent year-on-year.

Thieves used their vehicle to push the stolen car after the strap snapped.

RAA Insurance spokesperson Kimberley Bolton said South Australians should be aware of the ongoing dangers of car thieves.

“The rate of car theft is still rising and showing no signs of abating, so motorists should remain vigilant and aware of the security of their vehicle,” Ms Bolton said.

“Cost-of-living pressures have seen used car values ease slightly, but these same pressures may be forcing more people to become desperate and turn to crime.

Ms Bolton said RAA Insurance recommended parking vehicles in a garage or carport wherever possible.

Mr Scott said he always showed vigilance when it came to his vehicle.

“I never parked it on the street or drive it out at night, it was always stored in my garage with other cars blocking it,” he said.

“I never thought there were people brazen enough to steal it let alone in broad daylight but clearly there is.

“It was fitted with an RAA immobiliser, which is why it couldn’t be started and had to be towed.”

Originally published as Plea for stolen car’s return a year on from brazen theft as RAA reveals increase in vehicle thefts