VIDEO: Police issue warning, prevention tips after increase in carjackings, vehicle thefts in York Region

Yorkregion.com
May 17, 2022

As part of Police Week 2022, investigators with the York Regional Police holdup and auto/cargo theft unit are sharing crime prevention tips with the public following significant increases in vehicle thefts and carjacking incidents across York Region.

Officers will host an Ask Me Anything session on Instagram (@officialyrp) May 17 at 11 a.m. and share prevention tips and answer questions from the community.

Carjacking incidents have more than doubled since 2019 and often involved threatening or actual elements of violence, Const. Laura Nicolle said.

Theft occurs when an unattended vehicle is stolen.

“Aspects of these offences can vary, but in both cases, criminals are looking for the opportunity to take the most valuable vehicles they can find, as quickly and easily as possible, to then sell for profit,” she said.

Over the past few years, thousands of vehicles have been stolen across the region, typically from the owner’s driveway, between midnight and 6 a.m.

More than 65 per cent of carjacking incidents in 2022 were quickly solved, with arrests made and charges laid. Police have initiated several major projects, which have led to hundreds of arrests, significant numbers of charges being laid and hundreds of vehicles recovered in the last year. Despite their efforts, thieves are constantly developing new methods to accomplish these crimes, Nicolle said.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following safety tips to help prevent these offences:

• trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings;
• if you suspect you are being followed, on the road or into your driveway, call 911; and
• if you are approached by thieves, remain calm and comply; don’t fight back. Call 911 as soon as possible.

 

Police also shared these vehicle theft prevention tips:

• call police immediately to report suspicious people or activity;
• if possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as most vehicles are stolen from a driveway;
• use a steering wheel lock, which will also act as a visible deterrent;
• install a lock on the data port of your vehicle, which can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where thieves can gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys;
• consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system for your residence or business; and
• inspect your vehicle regularly and call police if you notice any suspicious potential tracking devices.

 

Police also released a compilation video of carjacking incidents.

Anyone with information on a car theft is asked to contact the York Regional Police auto/cargo theft unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6651, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.