York Regional Police are issuing a warning to pick-up truck owners after responding to four vehicle thefts —three were Dodge Rams — in two days in Georgina.
The vehicles were stolen from residential driveways on Jan. 22 and 23.
Three of the vehicles have been recovered and police said the investigation is ongoing.
Barrie Police also said there has been a string of vehicle thefts there, with Dodge Ram trucks being a commonly taken vehicle.
"As of last Friday, we had 20 stolen vehicles in this city and 11 of them were Dodge Rams. Six of them were taken last Thursday,” Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday.
South Simcoe Police also responded to a series of truck thefts in Innisfil Jan. 23., involving three Toyota Highlanders and one Dodge Durango. Three of them were recovered in another area and that investigation is also ongoing.
All three police services warn drivers to protect themselves from vehicle thefts and offer safety tips.
York Regional Police said to park in a locked garage when possible, use a steering wheel lock, install a lock on your vehicle's data port, consider purchasing a high-quality video surveillance system, and check your vehicle regularly for any potential tracking devices and alert police if you find something suspicious.
Barrie police suggest leaving your key away from the front door because thieves are able to tap into the fob by the door, which is in reach of the electronic reading device. If they get close enough to your house, bandits can download the information they need to open and start your car before taking off.
You are also encouraged to call police immediately to alert them to suspicious people or activity.
Anyone with information about the vehicle thefts in Georgina is asked to contact the auto/cargo theft unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6651 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online.
- With files from Shawn Gibson
