4 men from Caledon charged after Jeeps stolen from residents’ driveways

Four men, all from Caledon, are facing auto theft charges after five late-model Jeep Wranglers were all reported stolen on Tuesday.

The Caledon detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say the vehicles were all stolen from private driveways in the Bolton area. The thefts occurred in the early hours on Harvest Moon Drive, Lismer Crescent, Lauren Harris Crescent, Ellwood Drive, and Irongate Crescent. The vehicles were 2019 through ’21 models.

The investigation quickly led officers to a rural property on Innis Lake Road. The Caledon Street Crime Unit was engaged and received judicial authorization was obtained to search the property. The search, which was conducted by Caledon’s CCSU and members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) was executed that same day. The five Jeep Wranglers were recovered, and four individuals were arrested.

Rashaf Khular, 21, Kumar Ruman, 24, Harjot Singh, 23, and Sharandeep SINGH, 23, all from Caledon, were all charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Mischief over $5,000
• Possessing an automobile master key

They are due to appear in an Orangeville court in late Augustv to answer to the charges.

Caledon OPP said the car thieves are relying on tech that bypasses security systems allowing vehicles with keyless entry to be stolen.

“The insurance industry has seen the growing trend that thieves are able to copy fob information and steal cars right from your driveway,” the detachement said in a release on Wedneday. “The term ‘relay thefts’ involves the use of equipment designed to boost and exploit the signals sent out by a vehicle’s legitimate key fob. This allows for a thief to unlock and start an engine of a vehicle remotely.”

Residents can help protect their vehicles by taking any of the following crime prevention measures:

• Ensure your vehicle keys are kept well away from doors and windows
• Use a signal blocking pouch/box. They can block your key fob from transmitting its code to the vehicle as the pouch is lined with layers or metallic material
• Turn off the keyless fob wireless signal at night (refer to your car manual for instructions)
• Use a steering wheel lock or car alarm — this could add a significantly delay or be a deterrent for thieves
• Consider a secondary audible car alarm — which works by using sensors placed in different points of your vehicle
• Park in the garage (if possible)
• Insert a car tracker — unusual activity is monitored, and car can be tracked using GPS if stolen

Licences, insurance, vehicle ownerships, passports, as well as mobile devices or laptops, offer criminals the opportunity to further victimize individuals who do not lock their vehicles, or who leave their valuables in plain view, the police added.