Stolen, driven off, smashed, burnt-out: It’s car chaos out there
Police and emergency services, not to mention the victims of crime, have been left pulling their hair out in the past week during an alarming spate of vehicle crimes right across the district.
POLICE and emergency services, not to mention the victims of crime, have been left pulling their hair out in the past week during an alarming spate of vehicle crimes right across the district.
From Rhyll on Phillip Island to Wonthaggi, Inverloch, Korumburra, Leongatha and Mirboo North; thieves and criminals have left a trail of destruction for the owners of the cars, local business, police and fire brigades who’ve had to clean up the mess.
Local police posted on the Bass Coast Police Service Area Eyewatch page on Thursday, October 1 about an incident they attended at Kardella near Korumburra.
“At approximately 11.30am this morning, Leongatha Police assisted Korumburra Fire Brigade with a vehicle fire in Kardella Road involving a white Toyota Camry sedan,” they said.
“As you can see from the images, the vehicle was fully destroyed. Checks on the vehicle confirmed it was a stolen vehicle from outside the area.
“Investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft of the motor vehicle, and the fire.”
If anyone has any information that may assist investigators, please contact Senior Constable Troy Bryan at the Leongatha Police on 5662 2285 or email troy.bryan@police.vic.gov.au
There have been reports of a number of other stolen, burnt-out and damaged cars, including one stolen Toyota Landcruiser with false plates driven off after stealing petrol from a Wonthaggi petrol station on Thursday, October 1 at about 5.30pm.
They include, but may not be limited to:
- 11.30am Thursday, October 1 - Kardella (near Korumburra) white Toyota Camry sedan burnt out (featured on Bass Coast Eyewatch page).
- Wednesday, September 30 – car burnt out at Darlimurla (near Mirboo North)
- Valley View Parade, Korumburra - car burnt out (no date)
- Thursday, October 1 (am) Rhyll on Phillip Island - car burnt out
- Woolamai-Turnbull Road Woolamai car burnt out last week.
- Wonthaggi Sunday, September 27 - car burn tout
- Also, Landcruiser stolen in Poweltt Street Inverloch, Thursday night/Friday am October 2, 2026
- Window smashed in tradie ute in Griffiths Street Wonthaggi Thursday pm/Friday am, October 1/2, 2026
- Window smashed in vehicle in Gordon Street Wonthaggi Wednesday/Thursday, Sept 30/Oct 1
- Petrol drive-off Shell Wonthaggi Thursday, October 1 at 5.30pm, reportedly in a stolen Landcruiser with false plates.
- Also reports of four burnout cars in Leongatha area in the past week.
Police have been contacted for comment.
As has been stated before, certain makes and models of cars are being targetted and the owners of these cars can take their own precautions in an effort to reduce the chance of falling victim to these activities.
According to the RACV the following makes of cars were most targeted in the year to the end of March 2026:
- Toyota Corolla - 1244
- Holden Commodore - 1183
- Toyota Hilux - 1165
- Toyota Rav 4 - 895
- Toyota Landcruiser - 885
- Toyota Camry - 554
- Toyota Prado - 496
- Nissan Navara - 461
- Nissan Patrol - 399
Victoria Police says some thefts involve vehicles fitted with keyless ignition technology, which is more commonly found in mid-spec and top-spec newer cars than entry-level models.
These vehicles can be vulnerable because thieves may be able to access or start them without the physical key. Victoria Police reports that about one in five stolen vehicles is taken using this method.
The makes and models Victoria Police has identified include several vehicles that also appear in the most-stolen list, including the Holden Commodore, Toyota Corolla, Toyota HiLux, Toyota Landcruiser, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry and Toyota Prado.
Owners of these vehicles can help reduce the risk of theft by using an OBD port lock together with a steering wheel lock.
