Manningham: Police warn car owners to lock up after 20 reported thefts

A woman stranded overseas due to COVID-19 is among the victims in a surge of car thefts in Manningham. See if your suburb is a hotspot.

Twenty cars have been stolen in recent weeks across Manningham. File picture.

A wave of car thefts has hit Manningham, with homeowners stranded overseas due to COVID-19 among the victims.

Manningham detective Senior Sergeant Rohan Courtis said car thefts in the area doubled in April compared with its typical monthly average.

He said 20 cars, including high-end BMWs and Mercedes models, were stolen across six suburbs compared with the average monthly figure of six to 10 thefts throughout Manningham.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said the most car thefts were recorded in Doncaster (7), followed by Doncaster East (5) and Templestowe (4).

There was also two cars stolen in Lower Templestowe and one each in Warrandyte and Park Orchards.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said only four of the 20 stolen cars had been recovered and officers suspected some of the thefts were linked.

The incidents included a woman who had returned from China to find her car stolen from her Doncaster home, and four cars stolen from two homes while the occupants were asleep.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said vacant properties for sale, a Doncaster gym, and the Warrandyte CFA station were also targeted.

He said it was crucial car owners removed any valuables, parked their cars in garages where possible, and locked all outside and inside doors before they went to sleep.

“Any increase in crime is a concern, but when we see an increase of this nature, we put all our resources into reducing those themes,” Sen-Sgt Courtis said.

“We really encourage the public to check the security in their homes, and if they have an overseas owner, to get neighbours, friends and family to check on those properties,” he said.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said Neighbourhood Watch had done a letterbox drop around Donvale warning residents of the recent incidents.

A free one-way number plate screws installation drive has also been organised at the Doncaster Park and Ride for Sunday, May 16.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said anyone witnessing suspicious activity near cars and anyone with information on car thefts in Manningham during April could phone Manningham detectives on 8841 3945.