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Two men are facing charges after Waterloo Regional Police Services helped recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
According to police, reprogramming technology was used to steal five Toyota and Lexus vehicles from the driveways of homes in the Doon South and Brigadoon neighbourhoods of Kitchener between Dec. 28 and 29.
On Dec. 30, the WRPS Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft (BEVT) team, with assistance from Hamilton Police, searched a rural property in the Mount Hope area. Multiple stolen vehicles were located.
According to police, 20 stolen high-end vehicles, including Toyotas, Lexus, and Jeeps, were recovered with an estimated value of $1.4 million. Other property was also seized, including a forklift and vehicle loading ramp.
All the vehicles were towed to impounds in Hamilton. If an insurance claim has been made on a vehicle, the vehicle will then go to the insurance company. Police said if the vehicle was recently stolen it will go back to the victim.
A 63-year-old man from Hamilton and a 27-year-old man from Bolton were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Police are still investigating and are asking anyone with information to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
A Tundra truck was seen on a ramp as Waterloo Regional Police Service recovered 20 allegedly stolen vehicles in Hamilton. (Courtesy: Waterloo Regional Police Service)
A growing problem
According to police, the five-year average for stolen vehicles from 2019 until 2023 was 938. In 2023, 1,084 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2024, 1,130 vehicles were reported stolen from January to November.
Vehicle thefts using reprogramming technology has been on the rise in the Region of Waterloo. In 2023, 76 reprogramming thefts were investigated, many with links to organized crime. In 2024, that number rose to 142, an increase of 87 per cent.
Police are also in the process of investigating 41 attempted reprogramming thefts where the vehicles were significantly damaged.
Protecting your vehicle
To help protect their vehicle from being stolen, Waterloo Regional Police encourage owners and drivers to block access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent reprogramming of the vehicle’s key fob and not leave keys in the vehicle. Place the key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag or pouch when not using the vehicle. Owners can also consider installing a Global Positioning System tracker, using a steering wheel locking device or installing a wired camera or alarm.
