Waterloo Regional Police Arrest Two Males after Recovering 20 Stolen High-End Vehicles

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft (BEVT) team have charged two males after recovering 20 stolen high-end vehicles in Hamilton.

Between December 28 and 29, 2024, five Toyota and Lexus vehicles were stolen from residential driveways in Kitchener's Doon South and Brigadoon neighbourhoods. The vehicles were all stolen using reprogramming technology.

As part of the investigation into these thefts, on December 30, 2024, investigators from the BEVT team, with assistance from Hamilton Police Service’s Break and Enter, Auto Theft, and Robbery (BEAR) Branch, completed a search warrant at a rural property in the Mount Hope area of Hamilton and located multiple stolen vehicles.

In total, 20 stolen high-end vehicles, including Toyotas, Lexuses, and Jeeps, were recovered. The estimated value of the recovered vehicles is $1.4 million. Additional property, including a forklift and vehicle loading ramp, was seized as offence-related property.  

Two males, a 63-year-old from Hamilton and a 27-year-old from Bolton, were arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to police at 519-570-9777, extension 8255.

Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.

Statistics

• In 2023, WRPS’ Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft unit investigated 76 reprogramming thefts, many with links to organized crime. In 2024, that number rose to 142, an increase of 87%.

• Another 41 attempted reprogramming thefts are also being investigated, all of which included significant damage to the targeted vehicles as the suspects attempted to reprogram them.

• The five-year average for stolen vehicles (from 2019-2023) is 938. This is compared to 1,084 stolen vehicles reported in 2023 and 1,130 in 2024 (from January to November).

Safety Tips

Waterloo Regional Police encourage owners and drivers to consider taking the following measures to help prevent the theft of their vehicles:

• Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle's key fob.
• Use a steering wheel locking device to deter theft.
• When not in use, place the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals.
• Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects. 
• Consider installing a wired camera system and audible alarm, as subjects are known to carry devices that can jam wireless cameras.
• Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.
• Those looking to purchase a vehicle can also visit Équité Association | Defending Against Insurance Crime website to view a list of the top 10 most stolen vehicles.

If you observe suspicious people in your neighbourhood looking into vehicles, contact police immediately. This will assist investigators in tracking patterns of criminal behaviour and potentially identifying suspects.

A crime in progress can be reported by calling 9-1-1. Any non-emergency incidents can be reported by calling 519-570-9777. 

The Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to reducing vehicle theft as a recipient of funding provided by the Ontario Government Preventing Auto Theft Grant. 

WA24340054 (913)

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Media Inquiries: 
Waterloo Regional Police Service
Public Information Unit
519-570-9777 (WRPS) ext. 8188
publicinfo@wrps.on.ca  

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