Over $3 million in stolen high-end trucks and SUVs found; Brampton man among several charged
Published December 13, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Investigators have laid nearly 100 combined charges against a Brampton man and several others after dozens of stolen high-end vehicles worth more than $3 million were found.
Waterloo Regional Police say officers received reports of 84 stolen vehicles between June and Nov. 21, leading to an investigation of an alleged auto theft ring operating in the region.
Police say the thieves targeted high-end SUVs and pickup trucks including Lexus RX350s, Toyota Highlanders, Chevrolet Suburbans, GMC Yukons, Chevrolet Tahoes and Dodge Rams.
The thieves would use reprogramming technology to make off with the vehicles, using electronic equipment to access the vehicle’s diagnostics, reprogram a blank key fob and drive away.
Looking into the thefts led police to search multiple residences in Mississauga, Brampton, Cambridge, Guelph and Paris where a total of 45 stolen vehicles worth approximately $3.1 million were recovered.
Photos shared by police show some of the vehicles were found packed inside shipping containers.
Police say officers also found a large quantity of Canadian currency, blank keys and reprogramming equipment during the raids.
Waterloo police say a 25-year-old from Brampton, two 19-year-olds from Cambridge, two 17-year-olds from Guelph, an 18-year-old and a 24-year-old from Paris and a 26-year-old from B.C. have been hit with a combined 92 charges.
The offences include 39 counts of theft of motor vehicle, possession of automobile master key and trafficking of stolen property over $5,000.
The string of thefts has police reminding residents to take steps to protect your vehicle from a reprogramming theft with the following tips:
- Park your vehicle inside a locked and secure garage, or block your vehicle in with another vehicle
- Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle’s key fob
- Use a steering wheel locking device to deter theft.
- Equip your vehicle with an aftermarket Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker
- Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended
- Lock your vehicle at all times
- Never leave your vehicle running and unattended
- Consider purchasing a surveillance system and ensure the quality and function will capture any suspicious activity for 24 hours