Lane Cove Car Thefts and Break-Ins

By
ITC1
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car break in

ITC frequently receives reports of car break-ins/attempted car thefts in Lane Cove.  Today we were advised about a car break-in at Lane Cove North.  We have noticed the following trends:

Tools Being Stolen

Recently we received reports of work tools being stolen from work vehicles.  If you can, it’s a good idea to remove your work tools from vehicles at night.

Audi Break-Ins

Last year on the ITC Facebook page we posted an article about thieves targeting Audis on the North Shore.  Audi used to have a practice of storing a spare key in the glovebox.  Thieves would break into the Audi and steal the spare key and the car.  According to the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council this problem has been alleviated due to Audi no longer placing the spare key in the glove box.  Audi also notified Owners to remove the spare key from existing vehicles.  If you own an Audi check to see if the spare key has been removed.  An ITC roving reporter advised that their Audi was broken into last night (22 April 2017) it appears that the thieves were searching for a spare key.  The police were notified and forensics attended the scene.

Toyota HI-Lux and Land Cruisers

Apparently, there is a group in Sydney specifically targeting Toyota’s 4×4’s, Hilux and Lane Cruises.  We have been advised they enter through the passenger door this somehow enables them to bypass the vehicle alarms. They steal the GPS console and wing mirror motors.   Thieves targeted two cars in Lane Cove West on 25th April.  We were then advised that in January this year the targetted Lane Cove North.  One ITC reader advised us:

 

I did own a 2012 Toyota Hilux SR5 which was broken into on the 12/01/17 where unknown person/s stole my radio/gps unit along with my driver’ds side mirror and the attempted theft of the passenger side mirror. Once all the repairs were completed, unknown person/s stole the vehicle sometime between 6pm on the 19/04/17 and 6:45am on the 20/04/17.  I am also of the belief that another Hilux was stolen on the same night in Chatswood.  Thanks hope this may help other Hilux owners out there

How do thieves obtain your car keys?

Recently two cars were stolen from the same house in Riverview.  The thieves broke into a house and took the keys to both vehicles.  It’s a good idea to make sure you don’t leave keys lying around (how many people put their keys near the front door on a hall table??)

A recent study in the UK named the top 3 ways a thief obtains your car keys:

Number One

 Keys Stolen from House
Number Two Keys Left in Ignition
Number Three Forced ignition/Hot Wiring

 

Apparently, it is quite common for people to leave the key in the car when they are buying petrol or popping into a shop.

Source: carsafe.com.au
Source: carsafe.com.au

Car Thefts Occur at Home

Most people do not realise that the majority of thefts occur at the home, rather than in a car park or public place. Cars are usually stolen between 10.00 pm and 6.00 am. According to Carsafe.com.au 11 cars were stolen last year in the Lane Cove Council Area

Location Number of Thefts 2016
Lane Cove 3
Lane Cove North 4
Linley Point 1
Greenwich 3

 

Do Thieves Target a particular colour?

The answer is yes and green is the number one colour at the moment.  Apparently green is the new black.

Source: caresafe.com.au
Source: caresafe.com.au

Be Alert Not Alarmed

According to Carsafe, vehicle theft declined last year in NSW.  However, if you take the simple steps below, this may help further reduce car theft in the Lane Cove area:

  • Don’t leave your house unlocked while you are at home;
  • Don’t leave the key in your car;
  • Always tell your neighbours when you are away;
  • If possible, park your car in your driveway (and have sensor lights installed in your driveway);
  • Do not leave your property (including loose change, shopping bags, etc) in plain view in your vehicle, even when it is locked;
  • Be on the lookout for someone who is acting suspiciously, e.g. looking in windows/checking parked vehicles. Make a note of the person’s appearance, clothing, weapon (if any) and call the police immediately. You can report any crime or suspicious activities anonymously; and
  • Invest in Security Cameras, the cost of security cameras have decreased lately and you should speak to local experts Alert Locks and Security for some recommendations.

 

Do you have a local issue you would like help with? ITC is here to help just email us at [email protected]