Ballarat car thieves put on notice

A new police investigation team has arrested 45 alleged car thieves and recovered more than 100 stolen vehicles across the Ballarat area in just eight weeks.

The Divisional Crime Investigation Team, made up of detectives, general duties officers and Highway Patrol members, launched in late March to target rising car thefts and thefts from vehicles.

Since then, police have laid more than 100 charges, including theft of motor vehicle, stealing from a car, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving.

Among the recent arrests was a 16-year-old boy from the Ballarat area, who was arrested on 9 May following an alleged series of car thefts across Ballarat between 22 April and 4 May.

Police allege several vehicles were stolen, including a Toyota Hilux, Ford Everest, Ford Ranger, Subaru Outback and Toyota Rav4. The boy was charged with 22 offences, including eight counts of theft of motor vehicle, two counts of reckless exposure of a police officer to risk by driving, and theft from motor vehicle.

A 21-year-old Wendouree man was also charged after police allegedly located him in a stolen red Toyota 86 coupe in Bacchus Marsh on 5 May.

Police said officers also found stolen property allegedly linked to thefts from vehicles in the Ballarat area.

A 39-year-old Ballarat East man was arrested at a Sebastopol licensed venue on 15 May after allegedly arriving in a stolen white Mazda utility, which police said had been stolen from the Ballan area the night before.

Car theft continues to rise across Victoria, with the latest Crime Statistics Agency data showing more than 32,000 cars were stolen in 2025. In the Ballarat local government area, police said 769 vehicles were stolen in 2025, up 10 per cent on the previous year.

Detective Inspector Andrew Brady said the team would continue targeting offenders.

“This new team has been working tirelessly, at all hours of the day and night, to locate car thieves and remove dangerous drivers from the road.

“We are determined to make Ballarat a hostile environment for car thieves and that’s evident in the 45 arrests and 100 stolen cars recovered.

“This important work will continue, however we ask the community to remain vigilant by always ensuring your vehicles are locked, parking off the street where possible and installing anti-theft measures.

“Our message to offenders is clear, if you choose to steal a car in Ballarat, you will be arrested and you will be held to account.”

Police are urging motorists to lock vehicles, remove valuables from sight and consider anti-theft measures such as on-board diagnostic port locks, steering wheel locks and brake pedal locks.

Suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles should be reported to Triple Zero on 000. Non-urgent reports can be made to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444, while information about stolen cars can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.