An alleged serial car thief has been hit with more than 60 charges after using third party electronic key reprogramming devices to steal at least 25 cars across Melbourne.
The alleged thefts occurred across Melbourne’s east and southeast from Malvern East, Hawthorn, Clayton, Pakenham, Ferntree Gully, Frankston, Narre Warren to Bayswater between September and January this year.
Police will allege the thief used key mimicking tools to access, reprogram and steal vehicles parked in train station carparks. Some were also stolen from residential driveways and streets.
Following an investigation, detectives from the Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at an address in Ringwood North on 29 January and arrested a 27-year-old man.
A key mimicking device was allegedly located in his possession.
The Ringwood North man was charged with more than 60 offences including theft of motor vehicle, burglary, criminal damage, unlicensed driving, going equipped to steal, committing an indictable offence while on bail, handling stolen goods and possessing drugs of dependence.
He was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 25 February, where police will look to issue further charges.
Throughout the investigation detectives also located seven allegedly stolen cars and seven separate sets of stolen registration plates both at the Ringwood North address and nearby.
Statewide police intelligence estimates as many as one in four of all cars are disappearing despite their owners retaining the keys.
This trend has coincided with third party electronic key reprogramming devices becoming increasingly available for purchase.
While they are not illegal to own, police seized more than 300 devices from offenders in the last four months of 2025.
To help deter thieves, police are urging car owners to look at a range of preventative measures, including an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device to your vehicle. These locks are highly affordable and self-installable.
Other security tips include parking off the street and always ensuring vehicles are locked, even when at home.
Further information about additional vehicle security measures can be found at https://www.police.vic.gov.au/preventing-motor-vehicle-theft.
Quotes attributable to Detective Sergeant Ryan Davis, Maroondah Crime Investigation Unit:
“Police are working tirelessly to arrest car thieves and hold them to account.
“With technology making it easier to steal cars, we are urging owners to firstly lock their vehicles and where possible, park off the street to help lower the chances of having their car stolen.
“They can also purchase port devices that decrease the effectiveness of key mimicking tools and slow down the offender substantially.
“A small expense could save you tens of thousands of dollars by not having to replace your vehicle if it’s stolen.”