Members of Waterloo Regional Police Service's Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft (BEVT) Team is continuing to investigate multiple motor vehicle theft reports across the region.

Between September 27, 2024, and September 30, 2024, police received seven motor vehicle theft reports involving Toyota Tundra trucks. Six of those reports were attempted thefts.  

Police encourage individuals to consider taking the following measures to help prevent these thefts:

• Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle's key fob or purchase an aftermarket immobilizer.
• Use a steering wheel locking device to deter theft.
• When not in use, place the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals.
• Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker, as organized groups can easily defeat onboard manufacturing tracking. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects.
• Consider installing a wired camera system and audible alarm, as subjects are known to carry devices with the ability to jam wireless cameras.
• Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.

The thefts typically occur in the early morning hours and entry is gained by breaking the rear door windows.

If you observe suspicious people in your neighbourhood who are looking into vehicles, we encourage you to call police immediately. This will assist investigators in tracking patterns of criminal behaviour and potentially identifying suspects.

A crime in progress can be reported by calling 9-1-1. Any non-emergency incidents can be reported by calling 519-570-9777. 

Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to reducing vehicle theft as a recipient of funding provided by the Ontario Government Preventing Auto Theft Grant.