Youth criminals targeting affluent property market in latest effort to steal luxury cars

A cunning new trick helped a gang of teens swipe two luxury cars from an up-market estate. SEE WHAT THE CRIMS ARE DOING

Real estate agents Maserati swiped during home open at luxury estate.

Young thugs are turning to the exclusive property market in their latest ploy to nab high-end vehicles and designer goods.

Police sources have told the Gold Coast Bulletin well-known real estate agent Sarah Filippini, who boasts multimillion-dollar listings across some of the Gold Coast’s most extravagant suburbs, is the latest to fall victim to the “galling” new trick.

The Sovereign Islands mansion where a real estate agents had her Maserati stolen by juvenile criminals.

“We couldn’t believe it. They’re driving the streets making note of the for sale signs in the flash areas and coming back on the weekends and hoping it (the home) is open for viewing” one officer said.

It’s understood Ms Filippini was taking prospective buyers through a mansion on Brittanica Crescent, in the up-market Sovereign Islands estate just after lunchtime on Saturday October 21 when a number of teens gate crashed the event.

“She didn’t know they were there. She was upstairs in the home and just heard her car start,” the officer said, referring to Ms Filippini’s prized Maseratti Granturismo Coupe.

The Paradise Point real estate agent reportedly raced outside to the driveway but the car and criminals were gone before she could reach them. The stolen car was reported to police immediately following the incident.

Police sources claim this is part of an escalation in the youth crime crisis.

“They’ve become hardened professionals. The incredulity of our law makers to take note of how seasoned these kids have become means we are now staring down the barrel of some dangerous kids that will become bloody scary adults”.

It’s the second time in a matter of weeks that the Sovereign Islands community has been hit by young criminals.

Earlier this month a convoy of kids in stolen cars were caught in the act taking an Audi in broad daylight from a garage.

A couple spotted the offenders and gave chase in what they claimed was a high speed and dangerous pursuit.

The evading vehicle reached speeds of more than 100km/h on suburban streets and nearly struck an elderly lady while she was crossing the road.

Real estate agent Sarah Filippini.

Along with the Maserati stolen in the most recent incident, the teens reportedly took a master key to the home, returning later in the day once the coast was clear and stealing a Range Rover from the garage.

Ms Filippini’s black Maserati sports personalised number plates with her initials were reported to police several times as the vehicle was seen driving dangerously in the days following the theft.

The sports car was finally recovered on Saturday afternoon when it was discovered abandoned on Lyra Court in Robina, more than 20km from where it was first taken.

The second vehicle is still missing and a Queensland Police Service spokesman says investigations are continuing.

Ms Filippini declined to comment when contacted by the Bulletin.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.