WRPS investigating 7 vehicle thefts/attempted thefts

Investigators are looking to identify and speak to the individual in the photos in connection to a series of vehicle thefts/attempted vehicle thefts. (Submitted/WRPS)

Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a series of vehicle theft/attempted theft reports and have released images of a suspect vehicle and person believed to be connected to the incidents.

The incidents happened between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. between Jan. 22 and Jan. 26 in the areas of:

• Langlaw Drive, Cambridge
• Swift Crescent, Cambridge
• Ferncliffe Street, Cambirdge
• Schooner Crescent, Waterloo
• Atlantic Boulevard, Waterloo
• Chestnut Ridge, Waterloo
• Angler Way, Waterloo

One of the stolen vehicles, a Toyota Tundra pickup, was recovered by another police service in Peel Region.

Police said the suspect vehicle is a 2022 or newer black GMC Seirra, double or crew cab pickup, with silver alloy wheels and a chrome grill.

Investigators are looking for any information on the driver or owner of the vehicle and included pictures of both.

The suspect is described as a male, 20’s years of age, with a black short beard and short black hair. The male was wearing black shoes, black Nike pants and a green army parka.

Preventing vehicle thefts

Police are encouraging people to consider taking the following measures to prevent vehicle thefts:

• Prior to purchasing any vehicle, consult the Équité Association list of most commonly stolen vehicles, available at https://www.equiteassociation.com/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles.
• Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle’s key fob (a simple 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 radio signals when not in use.
• Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker or immobilizer unit. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects.
• Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.
• If you observe suspicious people in your neighbourhood looking into vehicles, we encourage you to call police immediately.

Police added that contacting police right away will assist investigators in tracking patterns of criminal behaviour and potentially identifying suspects.

“The Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to reducing vehicle theft as a recipient of funding provided by the Ontario Government Preventing Auto Theft Grant,” WRPS said in a news release.

Anyone with information about the recent incidents is asked to contact police.