Arrests made after vehicles stolen from Kitchener driveways recovered

Over a dozen vehicles, some of which were reportedly stolen right from driveways in Kitchener’s Doon South and Brigadoon neighbourhoods have been found, and two men are facing charges.

Waterloo Regional Police say 20 high-end vehicles believed to be stolen were found in Hamilton. This includes Toyota, Lexus and Jeep vehicles, all reportedly taken between Dec. 28 and 29, with a value of $1.4 million.

At least five of those vehicles were taken from Kitchener homes.

Police say all 20 vehicles were stolen using reprogramming technology.

Just a day after the reported thefts, on Dec. 30, police searched a property in the Mount Hope area of Hamilton and found the vehicles, along with a forklift and vehicle loading ramp.

A 63-year-old man from Hamilton and a 27-year-old man from Bolton have since been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000.

Reprogramming thefts aren’t anything new in Waterloo Region. Police say in 2023, officers investigated 76 reprogramming thefts. Last year, a jump in reprogramming thefts by 87 per cent, with 142 cases.

Many of those thefts were believed to be connected to organized crime.

A release from Waterloo Regional Police notes as of Tuesday, “Another 41 attempted reprogramming thefts are also being investigated, all of which included significant damage to the targeted vehicles as the suspects attempted to reprogram them.”

The investigation into this latest case from Kitchener is still ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police or Crime Stoppers.

Safety tips for all motorists

• 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.
• 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. 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 that can jam wireless cameras.
• Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.
• Those looking to purchase a vehicle can also visit Équité Association | Defending Against Insurance Crime website to view a list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles.
• If you observe suspicious people in your neighbourhood looking into vehicles, contact police immediately.