Guelph Police say a Toyota Tundra stolen over the weekend was recovered but days later, another was stolen.
This comes after police flagged a recent trend of stolen Toyota Tundras or attempts to steal them.
“The market doesn’t appear to be local. This appears to be an effort by organized criminals to steal vehicles based on some demand,” said Scott Tracey with Guelph Police.
Police said auto thefts in general are down in the city but how they’re being stolen is changing.
“Using sort of a laptop to actually plug into the vehicle’s computer and overcome the anti-theft systems that way,” Tracey said.
The vehicles that weren’t taken had a brake lock mechanism or an immobilizing device.
“A Killswitch, which prevents them from being fed into the engine of the vehicle. So unless that’s manually unlocked, the vehicle can’t be driven. So that’s certainly an effective device. Any kind of steering wheel lock, brake pedal lock,” Tracey said.
Smashed window
Mike Kurnik said he was woken up on Saturday around 3 a.m., to see someone had smashed the window to his Tundra and was trying to cut through the steering wheel.
“I grab the phone, call 911 and a flashlight, walk to the front door, shine the light out at the vehicle. And within that time, while I’m talking to the police officer, this scares the guy enough,” Kurnik said.
Kurnik claims to already have a steering wheel lock on the vehicle and has since installed a security camera on his home. Kurnik said he shouldn’t be responsible for installing any more items to deter thieves.
“There we are with no real support, I’d say from the manufacturer. That’s the biggest disappointment. And just that, you grow up all your life in this country, and now you don’t feel safe,” Kurnik said.
Toyota Canada told CTV News it is adapting technology at a rapid pace to quickly respond to new theft methods and tools.
“This approach includes the redesign of vehicles to harden access to critical systems and components, the deployment of new connected services like our stolen vehicle locator system, and the addition of new onboard technologies to combat electronic attacks on vehicles,” a spokesperson said, in part.
Recovered Tundra
Last Saturday, a resident near Flanders Road and Devere Drive reported his grey 2024 Tundra had been stolen from the driveway sometime overnight. The truck was one of two Tundras reportedly stolen in Guelph over the weekend, while attempts were made on four others.
The truck was found by police in Brampton early Tuesday morning. Police said the vehicle will be returned to the owner.
Latest theft
Around 4:20 a.m. Thursday, a resident near Whitelaw Road and Paisley Road reported his 2024 grey Tundra had just been stolen from his driveway.
“The complainant said he was watching TV and heard a noise outside. When he went to investigate, he saw his truck being driven towards Fife Road followed by a black pickup,” police said in a media release.
Anyone with information about the most recent theft is asked to call Detective Sergeant Ian Smith of the Guelph Police Break Enter Auto Theft Unit at 519-824-1212, ext. 7125, email ismith@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
