- Published:
- Friday 20 March 2026 at 8:28 am
Detectives from the Vehicle Crime Squad have charged a man for his role in an international syndicate allegedly stealing high end Toyotas and exporting them to the United Arab Emirates for profit.
Following a year long investigation, it will be alleged the syndicate began operating in Victoria before they were disrupted, moving to Queensland in October last year and reestablishing themselves there.
Victoria Police provided intelligence to Queensland Police Service who commenced an investigation under Operation Xray Lox.
Police intelligence suggests the syndicate stole more than 150 vehicles worth over $20M from Victoria, before relocating them to Queensland where another 60 vehicles were stolen.
It is believed many of these vehicles were stolen by accessing the vehicle’s on-board computers via the vehicle’s wiring.
Four search warrants were executed Thursday morning (19 March) at residential addresses in Doveton (3) and Seaford.
A 27-year-old Doveton man has since been charged with conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle and handle stolen goods in relation to 46 incidents allegedly committed between August and September 2025.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 26 March.
Investigators seized three motor vehicles, multiple electronic devices and business and banking records from the addresses.
Police will allege the man was using a commercial premises in Cranbourne West as a base of operations where the stolen vehicles were placed into shipping containers.
The shipping containers are then transported to the Port of Melbourne, headed for the UAE.
Investigators believe the companies moving the shipping containers were doing so without the knowledge of what was inside.
The investigation remains ongoing with additional charges expected to be laid.
Police are urging owners to install anti-theft measures such as on-board diagnostic port locks, while continuing to engage with impacted manufacturers and insurers to help prevent this from occurring.
Victoria Police reminds vehicle owners to lock their car doors and windows to deter opportunistic thieves, and where possible, park in well-lit areas. For added security consider using steering locks and secure your keys when not in use.
A full list of anti-theft measures can be found on the Victoria Police website, with a range of auto shops and websites stocking anti-theft products.
Anyone with information on car thefts and organised criminal networks is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Amanda Cohen, Vehicle Crime Squad:
“While Victoria Police has a high vehicle recovery rate – around 80% of cars stolen in the past year have been located – car theft fuels organised criminal networks and threatens the safety of our communities, impacting families, businesses and neighbourhoods.
“The wider ramifications of this crime have an incredibly detrimental impact in a variety of ways – from someone who can’t get to work, run errands or get their kids to school to insurance premiums being raised for everyone to cover the costs of vehicle theft.
“This was a brazen and highly sophisticated syndicate, solely motivated by greed driven profit. Their criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with a range of law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to combat this issue.
“The Vehicle Crime Squad will continue to target those contributing to organised motor vehicle crime in “Victoria and shut down any illegal activity of this nature.”
Media Unit
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