Cold weather and car theft go hand in hand

December 24, 2018, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Waterloo Regional Police are warning area car owners that car theft rates increase dramatically in the cold weather. In the one-month period from November to December there were 15 motor vehicle thefts in Cambridge and Kitchener. Most have occurred during the early morning hours while the vehicles were left idling and unattended in driveways.

Car theft rates increase in the winter months in Canada because more people leave their cars running and unattended and unlocked while the cars warm up/thaw out, and windows defrost. Police remind drivers to stay with their unlocked running cars as a theft can occur in seconds.

Police are also warning residents throughout the Region but particularly in Ayr where there has been a rash of thefts from cars to lock their cars overnight and to not leave any electronics of valuables in their cars. Thieves will often help themselves to loose change or electronics if doors are unlocked. They will also smash windows if they see something particularly enticing. Electronic cables leading in or out of glove boxes and other compartments can indicate MP3 players or other valuable electronics left behind. Briefcases and laptops go hand in hand as well.

Police also warn that you should keep your car keys away from the front door as thieves can break into your home and steal your car. Don’t leave your registration, insurance or other information in the car in plain sight either as this is an invitation to theft as well.

More sophisticated thieves often working in pairs are now intercepting key fob signals on ‘keyless ignition cars’ and remote starter signals to steal cars. The car fob is constantly broadcasting the signal to your car even when it’s in your house. This means that the thief can intercept your device’s signal, and then use a second device to trigger the car to unlock and start it.

The latest statistics were also released this month showing that 9/10 of the top most stolen vehicles were the F150 pick up truck. Police say that about 30% of stolen cars are never recovered and likely head overseas for resale.

Lock it or lose it is the advice.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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