Halton Police
Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) are reaching out to the public regarding the growing trend of break-ins in the region where perpetrators are coming into private homes to steal car keys. Oakville sits at number one in Halton region with the majority of these incidents.
The HRPS has issued a warning about a spike in thefts where thieves are breaking into houses and looking for keys to high-end cars parked in the driveway.
Car thieves typically look for unlocked doors; however, their desperation is showing as they are now breaking windows or forcing doors open to grab keys left nearby.
With the recent assembly of the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force (PCJTF), it’s becoming clear that auto theft is a province-wide concern that is escalating.
According to a statement from Halton Police in the report, "this year, there have been approximately 20 break-ins of this style in Oakville, approximately 10 in Burlington, and 10 in Milton/Halton Hills."
The most commonly targeted vehicles include:
- Mercedes
- Lexus SUVs
- Cadillac Escalades
- Commonly, perpetrators come out overnight and early in the morning. Police say that as of now, none of the thefts have been violent
Halton Police have recommended the following safety tips:
- Do not confront someone breaking into your home. Instead, call the police immediately.
- Lock the doors to your residence.
- Park high-end vehicles in a garage or have the vehicle blocked in by another vehicle.
- Do not keep keys at the front door, especially if they are visible through a window.
- Install after-market tracking devices on vehicles such as an Air Tag.
- Have proper lighting and/or cameras installed.
- Report suspicious activity (thieves often scout homes and vehicles in advance)
For more information and tips, visit https://www.haltonpolice.ca/en/staying-safe/auto-theft.aspx.
Anyone with information regarding these investigations is asked to contact the Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216 or for Burlington at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316 or for Milton/ Halton Hills at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
