Barrie police have released a video on social media to help the motoring public keep their cars and trucks in their driveways.
Certain vehicles seem to be targeted more than others, says communications spokesperson Peter Leon, citing Dodge Ram pickup trucks and Toyota Highlanders.
"It's the push-button technology that is available in these vehicles," says Leon. "Thieves have figured out a way to access the vehicles, rekey the fob and get your vehicle off the driveway before you even know they're out there."
Dodge Rams were hot ticket items for thieves last month in Barrie.
"There didn't seem to be a day that didn't go by where there wasn't one or multiple thefts involving them happening."
The thefts Leon is referencing are not the ones most people think about such as someone swiping a vehicle for a joyride.
"These are organized thefts," he says. "These are individuals out scouting your neighbourhood and mine, and they are finding vehicles and are coming back to get them, then putting them into containers and shipping them overseas."
He says many of these vehicles are worth two-and-half to three times on that market compared to what the public has paid.
There were 344 reports of stolen motor vehicles last year in Barrie.
#BarriePolice is providing our community with tips to help motor vehicle owners keep their cars and trucks in their driveways and not in the hands of opportunistic thieves. Please watch this short video, some of the tips offered are worth following up on.https://t.co/pOTwALgcxo pic.twitter.com/iO6kWVWohN
— Barrie Police (@BarriePolice) February 13, 2023
