VICTORIA Police across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula are targeting tech savvy criminals that are using reprogramming devices to steal popular cars with push-start systems.
Police said their intelligence suggested that certain makes and models with electronic push start technology were increasingly being targeted, as no ignition key was required. “Once inside a vehicle, this device can be plugged into the cars on board diagnostic port to override the security system and start the engine,” Victoria Police said.
Police believe this methodology is well known among criminal circles and being used extensively. Various models of Holdens, Toyotas, and Subaru cars have seen the most thefts where reprogramming devices were used, police said.
Victoria Police Frankston and Mornington Divisional Commander Melissa Rodgers said while officers had found many of the devices during search warrants, they had also seen several in or near vehicles following botched theft attempts. “This indicates to us that some offenders are either getting disturbed in the act, or they are unable to gain access inside the vehicle,” she said. “However, we know that up to 20 per cent of cars are stolen using these reprogramming devices, so owners are advised not to become complacent.”
Rogers encouraged car owners to think about buying an immobilising device to prevent the devices from exploiting car electronic security systems, noting that “thieves go to great lengths in order to steal cars, so anything that can restrict them further is a good thing”. “Police across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula will continue to target car thieves who selfishly think they can take what’s not theirs,” she said.
According to the latest official Crime Statistics Agency data, 362 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024 in the Mornington Peninsula local government area – up 45 per cent, while in the City of Frankston, 504 vehicles were stolen compared to 329 the year before, marking a 34 per cent increase.
While it is not known how many of the car thefts involved reprogramming devices, police have identified several cases where they had been used including one left at a scene when a Holden Commodore was stolen from a property in Mornington on 7 July last year which police were investigating.
In other cases, a search warrant was conducted at a home in Tyabb with a reprogramming device seized from the property, while another device was found in a Holden Commodore after an attempted theft in Tyabb last September.
Further incidents saw a device left at the scene after an attempted theft of a vehicle in Frankston between 28 February and 1 March. No arrests have been made, with police making enquiries.A man was also found in possession of a reprogramming device after he was arrested over an alleged shop theft in Dandenong and a theft from a vehicle in Seaford. The alleged offending occurred in July last year with the matter remaining before the courts.
On 10 January, a 34-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing a Holden Commodore which he dumped at Karingal Hub in Frankston. After being chased by police in a pursuit, officers saw the alleged offender try to discard an OBD reprogrammer into a bin. The owner of the car confirmed with police that their car had been locked at the time it was stolen. The man was charged with a range of offences including theft of motor vehicle, going equipped to steal, and dangerous driving while pursued by police. He has been remanded until a later date.
Victoria Police’s Vehicle Crime Squad has been working with impacted manufacturers, as well as insurance companies on the issue. However, in a statement, police said, “Without technological remedies or target hardening measures, such as the installation of on board diagnostic port locks, it’s anticipated the number of car thefts will continue to increase locally”.
Anyone with information on vehicle theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
First published in the Mornington News – 8 April 2025
