Aussie drivers on their daily exercise routines have been warned to stay alert as car thefts surge at gyms across one state.
About 250 vehicles were stolen from carparks at fitness facilities across Melbourne’s southeast between November 2025 and April this year, according to police intelligence.
More than half of the thefts occurred across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia, with detectives investigating a string of incidents in which car keys were allegedly stolen while owners were exercising.
Acting Senior Sergeant Benita Pringle, from the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Proactive Policing Unit, said gym-goers could take simple steps to protect themselves.
“Most of these car thefts are preventable,” she said.
“Opportunistic thieves are looking for an easy steal with as little effort as possible.
“Don’t make it any easier for them to take your car.”
Keys stolen while gym-goers exercised
Police allege several recent thefts involved offenders gaining access to gyms by tailgating members through secure entrances.
On July 19, a black Holden Cruze was allegedly stolen from a Glen Iris gym after a boy gained entry by following members inside and stole the car and house keys.
The vehicle was later recovered in Forest Hill, but police allege the teenager returned two days later and stole a grey Mazda 2.
The Mazda was tracked by the Air Wing travelling at high speeds through Greater Dandenong before a 15-year-old girl was arrested after allegedly fleeing the car in Keysborough.
Three boys are accused of dumping the Mazda in Waterways before getting into a rideshare vehicle, which was intercepted on Hutton Road.
Several teenagers have since been charged over the alleged thefts, with one 17-year-old facing numerous charges including dangerous driving, unlicensed driving and theft of both vehicles.
In another incident, four teenage girls allegedly entered a Clyde North gym on July 31, with two accused of tailgating a member.
Police allege two sets of keys were stolen from the locker area before a grey Haval Jolion was taken.
A 13-year-old girl was arrested and released with intent to summons, while the vehicle was recovered three days later.
Victoria Police is advising drivers to help protect their cars and number plates from theft. (Victoria Police)
Simple steps could prevent thefts
Police are urging gym-goers to keep car keys and valuables in secure lockers or with them, rather than open storage areas.
Members are also being asked not to allow strangers to tailgate them into gyms and to direct anyone without a pass to the staff.
Parking in well-lit areas, near entrances, or where CCTV is active can also help.
Pringle said stolen vehicles were often used to facilitate further offending.
“They’re more often than not used to aid further criminality,” she said.
Earlier this year, the founder of security company Sentriwise, Jing Kan Jackson, told Yahoo News that motor theft incidents are increasingly technology-driven.
“A lot of people assume their keys are safe simply because they’re inside the house, but criminals are now using relay devices and key cloning technology to steal signals remotely, sometimes from directly outside someone’s front door,” Jing said.
Motor theft crimes on the rise across Australia
Nationally, motor theft claims are on the rise, primarily because of the situation in Victoria.
As of June 2026, motor theft claims rose 2.5 per cent to 29,000 in 2025, with total incurred costs of $485 million, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
Victoria’s total bill – $243 million across more than 12,500 claims – is higher than the combined sum of all other states analysed.
“A car is stolen or broken into every 42 minutes in Victoria. This level of crime is not acceptable,” ICA CEO Andrew Hall said in June.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. #Yahoo
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