Car thieves target Toyota factory

FIVE people have been charged with the theft of 14 cars from Toyota’s Altona factory in Victoria over the Christmas break during the plant’s traditional summer shutdown.

Nine of the vehicles have been recovered with minor damage.

According to police, thieves broke into the factory early on Christmas morning and again on December 27.

Detectives say they believe the incidents are linked and an investigation is ongoing.

Two men, a 24-year-old from Port Melbourne and a 31-year-old from Mernda, were remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 18.

A 24 year-old Port Melbourne woman was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 12.

A 29-year-old Elsternwick man and a 26-year-old woman from Melton have been bailed pending summons.

Neither police nor Toyota have said where at the Grieve Parade factory the cars were taken from, or how. Nor were the type and model of the vehicles immediately disclosed.

The Toyota factory produces Camry and Aurion for Australia, but is scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of this year.