Police in Waterloo region warning about 'significant increase' in vehicle reprogramming thefts

Police in Waterloo region say they have seen a spike in the number of motor vehicles being stolen using reprogramming equipment.

During a police services board meeting on Wednesday,Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Chief Mark Crowellsaid there were approximately 150 reprogramming thefts from January to September thisyear compared to just 88 for the same time period the year before.

Crowell called it a "significant increase" and said just in the last month 16 vehicles were believed to have been stolen using the reprogramming tactic by "organized vehicle theft groups," he said.

How it works

Reprogramming works on cars that have push-to-start ignitions or keyless entry.

A person will break into the car and once inside they'll use an electronic device to access the vehicle's diagnostics. From there, a blank key fob can be reprogrammed to start the car.

Police say that reprogramming thefts have become more prevalent in the region and Ontario since 2021.

Every year the quit Association, which tackles insurance fraud and crime in Canada, publishes a list of the most stolen vehicles in the countryand what provinces are seeing the crimes happening most often.

In Ontario, popular SUVs and trucks, including the Honda CR-V, Lexus RX series, Dodge Ram and Ford F-150 dominate the list of most stolen vehicles.

Crowell said police have been sharing with the public ways that residents and citizens can protect themselves and their property.

At the same time, he said the police investigative services division, organized crime, and crime suppression teams "are doing the best we can to disrupt and intervene with organized crime groups that are carrying out these risks to our community."

In May, the Ontario government announced it would be introducing legislation to suspend the driving licenses of convicted auto thieves when "aggravating factors" such as violence, threats or the use of a weapon are involved, or when vehicles are stolen for the financial gain of organized crime.

The measure is aimed at combating record rates of auto theft across the province.

"Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you're shameful enough to prey on other members of the community for your own reckless gain, you'll lose that privilege," Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said.

Once the legislation takes effect, anyone convicted of motor vehicle theft under the Criminal Code could face a 10-year licence suspension for a first offence, a 15-year licence suspension for a second offence and a lifetime licence suspension for a third offence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January suggested his government is considering tougher penalties for auto theft as the head of the RCMP warned that some thefts are being carried out with "extreme violence."

"Organized crime is becoming more brazen, and the overseas market for the stolen cars is expanding," the prime minister said.

"Cracking down on auto theft means bringing law enforcement, border services, port authorities, carmakers and insurance companies together."