Car thefts are skyrocketing around the region especially in Cambridge with most of the targets being newer high end model of SUVs, Jeeps and trucks, but police are now warning your old vehicle might not be safe either.
Cambridge resident Tim Cross found out about this recent rise when he looked out his window last Friday and saw his own car being driven away.
"I heard a banging outside and I looked out my living room window and saw my 1999 GMC Yukon pulling out my driveway," wrote Cross in an email to CambridgeToday. "All the doors were locked and the banging must have been the ignition key on the column being compromised."
After seeing his own car reversing away from his home he immediately called police. They chased the stolen Yukon down King Street onto the 401, but abandoned pursuit due to public safety.
According to data provided by Waterloo regional police, there has been an uptick in the theft of these older high end SUVs and trucks, each with the same style of theft.
"Since August 2023, 13 attempts or successful thefts of late 1990s to late 2000s GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks and SUVs have occurred in Waterloo region," said communications officer Melissa Quarrie in an email to CambridgeToday.
In just a two day span from Jan. 14 to Jan.16 there were four attempted thefts of these vehicle types in Kitchener and Waterloo. In each of these incidents, damage was done to the ignition system of the vehicle just like cross suspected in his Yukon.
Police note that in every theft, the owner remained in possession of their keys the entire time.
Another commonality is the thieves are targeting and stealing these vehicles in broad daylight, either in driveways or most frequently from commercial shopping plaza parking lots and industrial areas.
Cross had his vehicle stolen at 2 p.m. and another incident involving a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban on Jan. 10 was stolen around 4 p.m.
Police have put out some tips to prevent your car from being stolen such as: reminding all vehicle owners to be vigilant in taking appropriate crime prevention measures pertaining to their vehicles, including removing tools, electronics, identity documents, wallets, passports, and other valuables when the vehicle is parked.
Aftermarket anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks, theft alarms, and GPS tracking devises can be effective tools in preventing vehicle theft, they added.
Cross notes that he will be adding an engine kill switch to prevent his other vehicle from starting unless the switch is flipped.
