79 PEOPLE have been arrested as part of a police operation targeting car thefts across Frankston and the surrounding suburbs.
The Frankston Crime Investigation Unit’s “Targeted Enforcement Crew” was set up in March to crack down on car thefts and number plate fraud. Since its establishment, the unit has seized almost 32 pairs of cloned registration plates from homes in Baxter, Carrum Downs, Dandenong, Frankston, Frankston North, Langwarrin and Lynbrook. Police have recovered 25 vehicles worth a cumulative total of approximately $1 million.
Victoria Police have been targeting number plate cloning operations to prevent further crimes such as aggravated burglaries, fire-bombings, drive-by shootings, and drug trafficking. Frankston Investigation and Response Inspector Melissa Nixon said “having your numberplates cloned is not only an inconvenience, but it can also be costly to have them replaced.”
“There are a few simple measures owners can take to lessen their chances of falling victim. We strongly advise anyone who is trying to sell a car or posting images of their car online to blur the numberplate, to avoid falling victim to anyone scanning social media for registration plates to clone. You can also install anti-theft screws which make it very hard for thieves to steal your plates quickly and without damaging them. These are free at police stations or available for a small price at hardware stores,” Nixon said.
“The success of the team in such a short period of time has already made a large dent in alleged syndicates across the southeast, and we will continue working around the clock to disrupt organised criminal activity.”
Among the vehicles recovered by police and returned to their owners was a Toyota Land Cruiser worth approximately $200,000. An Audi A5, Nissan Patrol, and two Toyota Hiluxes valued at around $70,000 each were also recovered.
Among the arrests made by police during the operation was a 32-year-old Carrum Downs man who was allegedly manufacturing high-end cloned plates and selling them online. He was charged with theft of motor vehicle, make false document, negligently deal with proceeds of crime, theft, drive whilst suspended, trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence, prohibited person possess firearm, and possessing an imitation firearm, and was remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 17 July.
On 1 June police spotted an allegedly stolen Toyota Hilux in the Carrum Downs area, and arrested three people who later allegedly attended the car. Three people aged 30, 40, and 33 were charged with thefts of motor vehicles, drug and weapon possession, and also in relation to stolen numberplates. They were each bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 11 August.
After a failed road interception in May, police raided a property in the Seaford area on 16 July and allegedly found a vehicle, false numberplates, 12 bottles of GHB, methylamphetamine, and an imitation handgun. A 31-year-old woman was subsequently charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, fraudulently display numberplates, fail to stop on police direction, and three counts of drive whilst disqualified. She was bailed to appear in Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 1 October.
A statement from Victoria Police read cloned plates are “interchanged on vehicles that are being used repetitively in criminal syndicates.
“The Frankston Crime Investigation Unit Targeted Enforcement Crew will continue these operations targeting thieves and will be assisted by the Air Wing and Dog Squad. Anyone who has information on cloned or stolen number plates that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.”
First published in the Frankstin Times – 21 July 2026