Guelph police say five Dodge Ram pickup trucks were stolen from different locations in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Police are continuing the investigation into these thefts. If anyone has any information regarding the recent thefts, they can contact Detective Constable Alex Nagrodski of the Guelph Police Service Break Enter Auto Theft (BEAT) Unit at [email protected]," said a police news release.
Police say that there has been an increase in thefts of newer-model Dodge Rams and Ford F150 trucks in Guelph and surrounding regions this year.
"These two models are some of the most highly sought-after in Canada by car thieves," said the release.
Police and the Insurance Bureau of Canada offer these tips on how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim:
- Don't leave a keyless entry fob in a vehicle or unprotected at the front entrance of your home. Thieves can use wireless transmitters to intercept the signal, giving them access to the vehicle. Consider storing fobs in a protective box or bag that blocks the signal.
- Install an immobilizing device which prevents thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring a vehicle. This can include devices that require wireless ignition authentication or starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers.
- Install a tracking device that emits a signal to police or a monitoring station if a vehicle is stolen.
Don't make your vehicle an easy target:
- Never leave a vehicle running when unattended.
- Lock the doors and close all windows when parked.
- Make sure to park in well-lit areas or in the garage.
- Use a visible or audible device that shows thieves a vehicle is protected.
- Consider using a deterrent like a steering wheel or brake pedal lock.
- Block your vehicle in your driveway with another vehicle.
- Don't leave personal information, like insurance and ownership documents, in the glove box when parked.
