Toyota Tundra thefts reported in Brantford

The Toyota logo on a car at the New York International Auto Show in New York on March 31, 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Seth Wenig)

Toyota Tundras continue to be targeted by thieves.

Waterloo Region and Guelph have been hit and now, it seems like it’s Brantford’s turn.

According to the Brantford Police Service, five Toyota Tundras were either stolen, or attempts were made to steal those vehicles, in the last week.

Guelph Police believe the thefts are the work of “organized criminals.”

“[They are] using sort of a laptop to actually plug into the vehicle’s computer and overcome the anti-theft systems that way,” explained Scott Tracy on Feb. 7. The vehicles that weren’t taken had a brake lock mechanism or an immobilizing device. “A killswitch, which prevents them from being fed into the engine of the vehicle. So, unless that is manually unlocked, the vehicle can’t be driven.”

In an email to CTV News, Toyota Canada said it was working to adapt its security technology.

“This approach includes the redesign of vehicles to harden access to critical systems and components, the deployment of new connected services like our stolen vehicle locator system, and the addition of new onboard technologies to combat electronic attacks on vehicles,” it read, in part.

Protecting your vehicle

Brantford Police shared some safety tips for drivers:

• Park your vehicle inside a locked and secure garage
• Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprograming the vehicle’s key fob (device can be purchased online)
• Use a steering wheel locking device to deter theft
• Place the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals when not in use
• Getting an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker
• Ensure keys are not left in the vehicle
• Lock your vehicle at all times
• Never leave your vehicle running and unattended
• Purchase a surveillance system for your home

Drivers are also asked to make sure they have the following information when reporting a vehicle theft: year, make, model and colour of your vehicle; licence plate number; vehicle identification number (VIN); serial numbers of any special equipment; and any dents or scratches that could help identify your vehicle.