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Teen gangs stealing cars from Melbourne gyms

Young thugs are going to extreme lengths to gain access to gyms around Melbourne and swipe car keys before making off in members’ vehicles. Watch the video.

Bree Johnson's car being stolen

Gangs of teenage car thieves are targeting gyms in the latest crime wave to sweep Melbourne.

Police have warned youths are sneaking into gyms using stolen access dongles or by tailgating members before raiding unattended gym bags for car keys, wallets and phones.

Some crooks even pose as members and use exercise equipment while acting as a ‘look out’ for co-offenders.

Five cars were stolen from Anytime Fitness gyms in Point Cook, Werribee and Tarneit and another from Jetts gym in Tarneit last week alone.

Bree Johnson had her black Kia Picanto 2018 registration 1MJ9JG stolen from outside Anytime Fitness in Point Cook. .
Bree Johnson had her black Kia Picanto 2018 registration 1MJ9JG stolen from outside Anytime Fitness in Point Cook. .

Gyms in Caulfield, Glen Waverley, Doncaster and Ferntree Gully have also been a recent target for brazen thieves.

Superintendent Therese Fitzgerald told the Herald Sun the emerging crime trend was concerning and warned gym-goers to be careful with their possessions.

“Police across Melbourne are responding to a recent trend of thieves targeting fitness centres and gyms,” she said.

A woman wrote to a Facebook forum about her car, a black Mitsubishi Lancer registration 1KK7XQ, stolen from outside Anytime Fitness in Point Cook.
A woman wrote to a Facebook forum about her car, a black Mitsubishi Lancer registration 1KK7XQ, stolen from outside Anytime Fitness in Point Cook.

“Often, this leads to vehicle theft and further crimes such as petrol drive-offs and burglaries being committed.

“This trend is a concern to police. The offending is opportunistic in nature, with groups of youths entering gyms via a range of means such as stolen access dongles, tailgating customers through entry points, or posing as gym members who’ve forgotten their access cards.

“Once inside, offenders may pose as customers and use the equipment inside while their co-offender will seek out unsecured valuables or open lockers and steal items.”

“Victims are often preoccupied, focused on their workouts and it doesn’t take long for an offender to quickly access keys, wallet, phone and other valuable belongings.”

Sgt Fitzgerald said police are working “around the clock” to catch these young crooks.

Police are now issuing security warnings to gyms across Melbourne in a bid to prevent further thefts.

Bree Johnson had her black Kia Picanto registration 1MJ9JG stolen from outside Anytime Fitness in Point Cook about 7.20pm last Sunday.

The car, which is yet to be found, later evaded police in Cranbourne and was involved in a petrol drive-off in Ardeer.

Several cars were stolen from the carpark of Anytime Fitness in Point Cook. Picture: Tim Carrafa
Several cars were stolen from the carpark of Anytime Fitness in Point Cook. Picture: Tim Carrafa

CCTV shows two youths of African appearance using a dongle to access the gym before stealing her car, she said.

“I am utterly disgusted,” Ms Johnson said. “I was told (by staff) to put my personal items in the pigeon hole.”

Earlier that afternoon two cars, a blue Nissan Pulsar and white Holden commodore, were stolen from Anytime Fitness gyms in Tarneit and Werribee, respectively.

A number of gyms have installed CCTV, lockable storage devices and put up security alerts in the wake of recent thefts.

Members are advised to never leave their belongings unattended, use a locker if available, avoid letting non-members into gyms and report suspicious behaviour.

An Anytime Fitness spokeswoman said it was co-operating with police to find the stolen cars and firm up internal security measures.

“We are working closely with Anytime Fitness franchisees to review current security policies and procedures,” said the spokeswoman.

TIPS TO PREVENT THEFTS

Do not leave your bags unattended;

Where available, use the lockable storage provided;

Do not allow anyone to use your access pass, even if they have ‘forgotten’ theirs;

If you witness suspicious behaviour, alert a staff member immediately; and

For immediate police attendance, call triple-0.

aneeka.simonis@news.com.au

@AneekaSimonis

GYM CAR THEFTS (February 18 - February 23)

ANYTIME FITNESS POINT COOK

Black 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer with the registration 1KK 7XQ stolen about 12.45am on Saturday February 22.

*Still missing

Red 2018 Mazda 3 sedan with the registration 1OI 7QS stolen about 11.15pm on Saturday February 22.

*Still missing

Black Kia Picanto sedan with the registration 1MJ 9JG stolen about 7.20pm on Sunday February 23. Car later evaded police in Cranbourne and involved in petrol drive-off in Ardeer.

*Still missing

ANYTIME FITNESS TARNEIT

Blue Nissan Pulsar sedan with the registration 1KO 9HD stolen along with the victim’s wallet and house keys about 4pm on Sunday February 23.

*Found by police in Sunbury on Tuesday night

ANYTIME FITNESS WERRIBEE

White Holden commodore sedan stolen sometime between 4.30-5.20pm on Sunday February 23.

*Found by police in Wyndham Vale.

JETTS GYM TARNEIT

Black 2014 Suzuki Kizash with registration 1CK 2WI stolen between 9.45-10.30pm on Tuesday February 18.

*Still missing

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/teen-gangs-stealing-cars-from-melbourne-gyms/news-story/d5002c79887abb447bb6fe77f2b47ad7