- Strike force investigates series of thefts
- At least two cars were stolen in Point Piper on Thursday
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Teenage gangs are suspected of being behind a spate of brazen car thefts in one of Australia’s swankiest suburbs, prompting a specialist taskforce to launch an investigation.
Police patrols have been stepped up in Point Piper, in Sydney’s east, after the exclusive harborside suburb, home to business tycoons and a former prime minister, was rocked by an alarming crime wave.
Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that at least two vehicles were stolen within a 1 kilometer radius overnight, including one spotted by officers patrolling Wolseley Crescent – Australia’s wealthiest street.
Detectives from Strike Force Sweetenham have been called in to investigate whether teenage gangs charged with selling high-end cars for Sydney’s underworld could be responsible for the thefts.
Police suspect teenage gangs are behind a string of car thefts in Point Piper. The latest incident took place in Wolseley Crescent, Australia’s most expensive street
The NSW Police Task Force was established in 2021 in response to an increase in serious burglaries and thefts of luxury vehicles across Sydney
It has since expanded its focus to teenage thieves who break into homes and steal high-powered vehicles to sell on to Sydney’s underworld.
Task force investigators have charged several teens in recent months in several car thefts and chases involving stolen cars.
They are also investigating the thefts of two Bentleys in nearby Wentworth Street ahead of Christmas. The luxury cars have yet to be recovered.
A police spokeswoman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Friday that the strike force had taken over the investigation into the car thefts.
In the latest incident on Thursday, police were carrying out patrols in Wolseley Crescent shortly before 4am when they spotted an abandoned black Ford business with the engine still running.
Strike Force Sweetenham has taken over the investigation into car thefts in the exclusive harbor district (Point Piper photo)
As police investigated the abandoned vehicle, officers spotted a blue VW Golf leaving a nearby driveway.
The owner of the vehicle then ran from the home to alert police that his car had just been stolen.
When police attempted to stop the VW, it failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, but ended a short time later due to safety concerns.
Shocked residents told Daily Mail Australia they woke up to find a large police presence on the streets, amid reports that several vehicles had been stolen from a number of homes.
When an investigation was launched, another resident in nearby Wentworth Street reported their Ford Ranger car stolen.
Despite the latest thefts, Aston Martins and Rolls Royce remained proudly on display to the public in Wolseley Crescent, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Police are still investigating whether the latest incidents are related.
No arrests have been made as of Friday morning.
The upscale Sydney suburb of Point Piper (pictured) has been rocked by a series of car thefts
Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam relating to any of the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers.
Wolseley Crescent is considered one of Australia’s best streets, known for its breathtaking waterfront mansions bordering Sydney Harbor with world-class views and selling for up to $38 million.
It was once among the top 10 most expensive streets in the world with a price of $38,900 per square meter.
Point Piper has long been considered Australia’s most expensive suburb.
Residents include former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy, Westfield chairman Frank Lowy, Hungry Jacks owner Jack Cowin, media mogul Lachlan Murdoch, developer Robert Magid and Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar.