Multiple truck thefts reported in Barrie in one night
Police in Barrie are investigating after five trucks with push-button start technology were stolen in one night, a trend that they say is gaining traction.
Kelly Halfkenny's parents moved to Barrie from Scarborough one week ago and said it wasn't the warm welcome they had expected after their truck disappeared.
"On Monday morning around 7 a.m. I was headed to work, and my mom texted me and said the truck was gone."
The stolen vehicles, four F-150s and a Dodge Ram Rebel, all 2019 or 2020 models, were taken sometime overnight Sunday from the city's east and northwest neighbourhoods.
"From what we understand, they are able to gain access to the vehicle and then override the computer system," said Peter Leon, Barrie police spokesperson.
So far this year, 141 vehicles have been reported stolen in the City of Barrie, averaging about one a day.
"We've certainly seen an increase in stolen vehicles," Leon said.
RELATED
- Barrie man upset truck was stolen as police confirm spike in vehicle thefts
- Vehicle thieves use radio signal to override key fobs
- Barrie community reports rash of vehicle break-ins
According to Bryan Gast, Équité Association Investigative Services vice president, F-150s are a popular steal.
"They're plentiful. They're considered a quality vehicle, and there's a market for them."
Gast said most stolen vehicles end up shipped overseas, where police said trucks can be worth two to three times their standard value.
"The current global market is driving these thefts domestically," Gast added. "We typically are a country where vehicles are stolen from and shipped to other countries."
Police noted it's not enough just to lock your vehicle anymore. They recommend using a steering wheel lock or situating another vehicle to block your truck from being driven away.
Police also suggest removing valuables from vehicles and parking in a garage when possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.