Thieves steal same type of SUV 3 times in one night in Ontario city

Three 2024 Jeep Wranglers were stolen from different homes in Guelph within several hours early Saturday morning, and police are trying to determine if the vehicle thefts are related.

One of the SUVs, a pink Wrangler stolen from the driveway of a home in the area of MacAlister Boulevard and Ambrous Crescent, was later found undamaged in Mississauga, Guelph Police said on Monday.

The other two stolen vehicles, both white Jeep Wrangler Rubicons, were also taken from the south end of the southwestern Ontario city — one from the driveway of a Kortright Road East home and the other from a home in the area of Harts Lane East and Bathgate Drive.

Neither of those SUVs has been recovered and police said “it’s not known if the thefts are related.”

In the Kortright Road East vehicle theft, investigators noted that “two people were captured on security cameras opening the vehicle’s hood and then driving it away” in the overnight hours.

Later on Saturday morning, police said, a resident near Clair Road East and Dallan Drive reported his black 2024 Honda Civic had been stolen from the road in front of his house.

In the wake of the incidents, police are encouraging residents to take steps to protect themselves from auto theft.

“This can include parking indoors when possible or in well-lit areas, ensuring vehicle doors and windows are closed and locked, employing anti-theft devices to prevent vehicles from being started or steered, and using devices to block signals from electronic keys,” police said.

Investigators added neighbours can also do their part to hinder would-be thieves by reporting suspicious activity around unattended vehicles, “especially during overnight hours.”

The police investigation continues.

Anyone with information about the weekend vehicle thefts is asked to call Guelph Police at 519-824-1212.