Keyless entry and push-start vehicles in Hamilton and Halton are being stolen at ‘staggering’ rates
Published October 8, 2021 at 1:29 pm
Police in Hamilton and the Halton region are warning owners of a recent slew of keyless entry and push-start vehicle thefts.
The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) is reporting that there have been seven thefts over the last seven days, all involving the Lexus RX 350. One of those thefts occurred in the Westdale area while six took place in Ancaster.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), meanwhile, reported seven thefts overnight on Thursday (Oct. 7) alone.
“Securing your vehicle can be as simple as parking it in a locked garage,” wrote the HRPS in a tweet. “No room in the garage? A steering wheel locking device is an effective deterrent.”
Halton Police say the majority of these vehicle thefts occur after midnight.
Thieves are using multiple methods to unlock and start vehicles. One way is using a device that amplifies a key fob signal, which can unlock and then start the vehicle. Another way is through the reprogramming of a vehicle’s onboard diagnostic port and then programming a blank key fob to unlock and start the vehicle.
Videos
The service tweeted out a public service video in response to the thefts.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertisingNot only happening in Halton Region !!!
In the past 7 days, there have been 7 thefts (6 in Ancaster Area and 1 in Westdale) of newer Lexus RX 350.
Please watch this great video put out by our friends @HaltonPolice on steps you can take to protect yourself. https://t.co/e4WKSaO266
— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) October 8, 2021