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Police believe thieves stole trucks by starting vehicles without keys

Digital forgery allows access through VINs or signals that come from modern fobs
EloraFergusToday Staff

NEWS RELEASE
WELLINGTON ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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On Jan. 13, the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to two separate vehicle thefts from private residences in the Town of Erin. At approximately 3:45 a.m., a black Ford pickup truck was stolen from Erinlea Crescent and then at approximately 4:45 a.m., a red Ford pickup was stolen from Barbour Drive.

In both cases, suspects arrived in a Mercedes-Benz Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), entered and started the vehicles without keys. Surveillance captured thieves examining the dashboard Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of one of the vehicles before the theft. 

Any person with information regarding this person should contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip online. 

With remote vehicle entry systems and push-button start options, digital forgery allows thieves to unlock, start and drive your vehicle away without your keys. Wellington County OPP wants to remind vehicle owners that with new vehicle technologies come new challenges in protecting your property. Some tips to help stop thieves.

  • Ensure your vehicle is always locked and all valuables are removed from it.
  • If possible, prevent access to your vehicle by securing it in a garage.
  • Store your keys in a Faraday bag/box and away from doors and windows. Thieves may have electronic devices can capture signals emitted from your key fob, but they relay on proximity. Storing keys where they are further from thieves helps prevent the capture of those signals. Faraday storage devices go one step further as they interrupt and stop electronic signal transmissions.
  • Cover your vehicles dashboard V.I.N. while parked so thieves can't use manufacture's databases to create a clone-key or change the vehicles encryptions.
  • Increase your security by a use a mechanical anti theft device like a steering wheel locking system or a "wheel boot" locking system.

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