Vehicle Theft

Vehicle theft is not only a property crime. People feel violated and victimized as they realize someone has been on their property and has stolen their vehicle(s) containing their personal items.

We work in partnership with other police agencies and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to dismantle criminal networks operating in Ottawa and beyond.

The Ottawa Police Service investigates vehicle, trailer, cargo, and heavy equipment thefts. We also examine vehicles to determine their true identity in cases where it is in question, including arson, recovered stolen vehicles and vehicles which have had some of their identifiers removed, altered or obliterated.

Vehicle thefts generally occur one of two ways:

In most cases, the driver-side door is mechanically breached – at which point thieves access the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM) port to reprogram 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’).
The Signal Amplification Relay Attack (SARA) is not a common technique in Ottawa - however police continue to raise public awareness about this means where thieves use an amplification device to amplify the signal emanating from the key fob inside the house. That signal is then relayed to the car which unlocks the vehicle and allows it to be started. This type of theft will be deterred by the use of a Radio Frequency Shield (Faraday bag/box.)

Vehicle owners are encouraged to consider the following prevention measures:

Park inside a garage if available;
Block your vehicle in tightly against a second less sought-after vehicle;
If you do not have a garage or second vehicle, one of the most foolproof techniques is to install 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;
Keep in mind that thieves have returned to steal the replacement vehicle when a vehicle has been stolen, so remain vigilant;
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;
Neighbourhood watch is still the best defence – so please report any suspicious activity immediately to police at 613-236-1222. Call 911 to report a crime in progress.

Prevention Tips

Buyer beware! By purchasing a vehicle through an Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) dealer, consumers enjoy a level of protection relating to the transaction. The benefits of buying from an OMVIC dealer are well documented on the OMVIC website. However, if you purchase a vehicle from a private seller, OMVIC offers tips for buying a car privately.

If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you are found to have a stolen vehicle, it will be seized as stolen property by the police and returned to its rightful owner. The seizure of a vehicle can often 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.

Vehicle owners can take measures to reduce the likelihood of their vehicles being stolen.

In cases where a thief is selecting the vehicle to steal, anti-theft devices such as car alarms, steering wheel locking devices, and electronic immobilizer devices can be a strong deterrent.

Consider vehicle etching as another form of protection from having their vehicle stolen. Etching increases the likelihood of the vehicle and/or its parts being identified and/or recovered by police. Some GPS tracking units allow the vehicle owner to electronically "fence-in" their vehicle where an alarm would go off if the vehicle left the fenced-in area without permission.

Park in a locked garage or block it tightly with a second vehicle or another barrier.
Do not leave the vehicle running while unattended.
Be vigilant that no one has tampered with the door lock mechanisms.

The onus is on the registered vehicle owner to ensure that the person they let drive their vehicle has a valid driver's license. So, request to see a driver's licence before allowing anyone to test drive your vehicle. This also allows you to note the person's identity. Also, note the licence plate and vehicle description of anyone who comes to enquire about a vehicle for sale.

Finally, a good old-fashioned Neighbourhood Watch is a great deterrent. Call 911 to report any suspicious activity and be vigilant.