Two youths charged after police track down stolen vehicles in the east end

Police were able to track down two stolen vehicles after a late September residential break-and-enter in Ottawa’s east end.

It happened in the overnight hours of Sept. 30. Officers responded to a home on Jeanne D’Arc Boulevard, where the homeowner’s keys had been taken from the house and two vehicles were stolen.

The next day, police found one of the stolen vehicles with three people inside. When the suspects saw police they fled. A foot pursuit occurred and one of the passengers was caught by officers. Shortly after, the second vehicle was recovered.

Police said they have charged two youths, however, they won’t be named due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. One suspect is still on the run, officials note.

In most cases of stolen vehicles, the driver-side door is mechanically breached, police note. This allows thieves to access a port to reprogram the vehicle to a new key.

“This remains the most common type of vehicle theft and it is not deterred using a Radio Frequency Shield (known as a ‘Faraday bag/box’),” a press release reads.

Another way thieves gain access is by using a Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA), but Ottawa police note this is not a common technique in the city.

Using an amplification device the signal can link to the fob inside the house, which is then relayed to the car to unlock it. This type of theft can be deterred by using a radio frequency shield.

Accidentally buying a stolen vehicle

Police are warning the public that if they accidentally purchase a stolen vehicle they too could become a victim.

A vehicle purchased through a private seller is not as safe as buying one through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council dealer, officials note.

“If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” they write.

If a member of the public does buy a vehicle that turns out to be stolen it will be seized as stolen property by police and returned to its rightful owner. This seizure can create a second victim.

“In cases involving the unwitting purchase of a stolen vehicle, the purchaser is deprived of the vehicle and the money used to pay for it once the police or other law enforcement agency seizes the vehicle,” officials said.

Tips for how to avoid vehicle theft

• Park inside a garage if available;
• Block your vehicle in tightly against a second less sought-after vehicle;
• If there’s no garage use an after-market vehicle immobilizer and alarm;
• Install after-market tracking devices or “GPS” – many of these have the ability to “fence in your car” notifying the owner’s smart phone if the vehicle leaves the established perimeter;
• If you use “Air Tags” do be mindful that if the thief has an Apple phone, it will advise them that the vehicle is being tracked so try and hide them within the vehicle;
• If you find an “Air Tag” in your vehicle or receive a message on your smartphone that you are being tracked please call police, as this is one means that thieves use to find a targeted vehicle. They typically return under cover of darkness to steal it;
• Install an Engine Control Module (ECM) port-lock;
• Install motion detection lights and exterior surveillance cameras at home as these can act as a deterrent;
• Use a steering wheel lock (i.e. “Club”) to deter thieves (keep in mind they can cut the steering wheel to remove it); it works best when combined with a secondary anti-theft device that may not be as visible to the thief