Melbourne Gone in 60 Seconds crook Christian Schumann collared for $171,000 car theft spree

A Melbourne crook with “considerable technical knowledge” went on a real life $171,000 Gone in 60 Seconds-stylecar theft spree.

A Melbourne car thief who knocked over multiple vehicles during a Gone in 60 Seconds-style crime racket was the target of a major police operation.

Christian Schumann, 40, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to multiple motor theft charges.

Schumann nicked various luxury and sports cars during a shrewd heist spree between December 2021 and August last year.

The court heard Victoria Police launched ‘Operation KEYSTONE-2022’ to snare Schumann whose total car theft value skyrocketed beyond $171,000.

Police “focused” their investigation on Schumann who, according to investigators, possessed “considerable technical knowledge” and “locksmithing abilities”.

Schumann cased out carparks and prowled for vehicles which had been unused for “extended periods”, the court was told.

Schumann used specialised equipment to crack into his target vehicles.

The skilled thief then reprogrammed locking systems and cut new “production keys” rendering the rightful owner’s original keys useless.

Schumann then sold and attempted to sell most of the cars to hapless marks via Gumtree.

Police alleged Schumann boosted a Porsche Cayenne from a secure multi-level Southbank carpark sometime between October and November 2021.

The court heard Schumann allegedly identified the unregistered car hadn’t been driven in months.

Schumann allegedly advertised the Porsche on Gumtree for $74,000 to quickly entice dupes into handing over their cash.

A victim handed a $2000 deposit to Schumann before the Porsche was eventually reported stolen in March last year, the court was told.

However, the stolen Porsche and its sale charges were later withdrawn.

Schumann kicked his modus operandi into gear and stole garaged cars from carparks located at Southbank, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Docklands and the city.

Police alleged Schumann stole a Holden VN Commodore SS and a HSV VX Clubsport from Footscray but those charges were also withdrawn.

Schumann stole a $40,000 1999 Subaru WRX Impreza from an underground Port Melbourne carpark.

Schumann sold the WRX “hobby car” to a NSW customer for $22,000 cash but the mark only realised the car was stolen after they attempted to have it registered across the border.

Schumann also stole a Mercedes Benz, various Mazda 3s, a Honda CRV, a Toyota Prado and a Toyota GTS 86.

Police also alleged Schumann stole an $80,000 Range Rover but that charge was withdrawn.

Schumann traded the Prado, another vehicle and some cash to South Melbourne dealer Australian Vehicle Locators for a legit $35,000 Audi.

Schumann, who pleaded guilty to multiple obtain property by deception charges, also sold a Mazda 3 for $10,500.

Investigators on Schumann’s trail caught a break when they seized a stolen Mazda 3 stacked full of the thief’s tools of trade in mid-August.

Police seized a key cutting machine, various power tools, box cutters, a modified coathanger, metal ruler, a battery jump starter and locksmithing coding keys.

The court heard Schumann, who was arrested on August 19, had a “lengthy discussion” with police about the legality of his hobby.

The defence submitted Schumann initially believed he wasn’t breaking the law.

“(Schumann) was taking those cars and selling them for a profit through Australian Vehicle Locators,” the defence submitted.

“Police had quite a lengthy discussion with (Schumann) in the interview about how that is not in fact legal and he was not able to do that …

“It was done in a way which he thought was legal … he tried to contact the owner with no success …

“He’s a very smart and articulate gentleman, your honour …”

The court heard Schumann, a German national, came to Australia when he was 17.

Schumann, a father, formerly worked as a car yard manager and ran his own refurbished electronics business.

The defence pleaded with Magistrate Olivia Trumble to have mercy on Schumann because a hefty jail term would have him deported back to Germany.

Schumann also read an apology letter to the court.

“If someone asked me seven months ago if what I did was wrong I would have argued the cars that I’ve taken were abandoned and unwanted … long forgotten, left behind vehicles …,” he said.

”My actions didn’t hurt anyone, I never intended on taking cars that had owners … ‘finders keepers’ I thought … I now know I was wrong.”

The prosecution, which had sought Schumann be dealt with at the County Court, said the offending was “very serious”

“There’s a high degree of organisation and I would say sophistication,” the prosecutor said.

“It’s the same type of offending over and over again but he’s clearly found something that seems to have worked for him.

“He’s targeted vehicles that are of a high value … (and) he would get the most money back given he’s attempted to onsell them …”

Schumann, of South Melbourne, was granted bail to be sentenced at a later date.

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