These are the most stolen vehicles in Ottawa so far in 2023
Approximately 100 higher-end luxury SUVs and pickup trucks have been stolen in Ottawa each month so far this year.
That works out to three to four vehicle thefts every night in 2023, and Ottawa police say higher-end vehicle thefts are becoming more common.
"Yes, it's on the rise," said Det. Douglas Belanger of the Ottawa Police Service Organized Crime Section.
"It’s basically doubled year-over-year for the past five years, and the trends are that it’s going to continue, if not escalate moving into the coming year."
Statistics provided to CTV News Ottawa by Ottawa police show the Jeep Wranglers/Gladiators top the list of stolen vehicles so far this year, with 66 vehicles reported stolen. Number two on the list is the Toyota Highlanders, with 49 vehicles reported stolen, followed by 45 Honda CRVs and 31 Dodge Ram Trucks.
"We’re probably seeing about 20 to 30 per cent recovery rate," says Det. Belanger, explaining those stats are for these types of higher-end SUVs or pickup trucks, which are generally stolen for export or “re-vining.”
He says recovery rates for cars stolen for "joy rides" for example are higher.
Belanger says so far this year, there have been 49 arrests connected to stolen vehicles.
Tamy Vallieres says she had a close call with her Jeep Wrangler.
Over Easter weekend, her driveway security camera captured two people in broad daylight, checking out her Jeep and paying close attention to the edge of the windshield.
"I thought they were bold, the nerve of them to come onto my property," Vallieres says.
It happened just two months after her husband's Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from a movie theatre parking lot.
“I went in at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and when I came out at 5:20 the car was gone.”
The retired Ottawa police officer covered the Vehicle Identification Number on her Jeep.
"They get discouraged, and they leave.”
She thinks her Jeep was spared, because she covered up the VIN.
“I think they’re trying to obtain the VIN to be able to fabricate a key, to be able to get into the vehicle and take off with it – come back at a later date maybe, or in the afternoon or evening."
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Det. Belanger says none of the higher-end SUVs or pickup trucks have been stolen from garages.
He says when it comes to prevention – look to after-market Engine Immobilizers, a device usually hard-wired directly into your car, which prevents thieves from starting it.
“No one method is really foolproof, but that engine immobilizer – that after market options are probably the best ones if you’re sticking with any of the high-theft vehicles.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.