http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/cri...x-toyota-suvs-stolen-in-same-night-in-leaside
Investigators fear thieves now able to outsmart microchip technology found in newer models
After six Toyota Highlanders disappeared from Leaside in the same night, fear has begun to spread in the auto industry that organized crime bosses have finally been able to crack microchip technology specifically created to stop car thieves.
Investigators with the Insurance Bureau of Canada are scrambling to determine if there is a link between a recent string of SUV thefts in the GTA.
Since it became mandatory two years ago, all new vehicles come outfitted with electronic immobilizers, which prevent the unauthorized starting of vehicles. The technology, which is comprised of a chip in the key that tells the engine to start, was designed to stop hot-wiring thefts.
But now, some are worried car thieves have found another way.
"It's important not to jump to conclusions, because we don't yet know how these vehicles were stolen," said Rick Dubin, the insurance bureau's vice-president of investigative services.
"We're not aware of a case yet where individuals involved in organized auto theft have been able to override the immobilizer."
Still, a team of investigators is working with various law enforcement agencies to identify common threads in recent thefts.
Last year, 125,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada, but Wednesday's heists were especially unusual.
Between 7 and 8:30 a.m., six Leaside residents woke up to discover their SUVs were gone. All the targeted homes were in the same neighbourhood. Each vehicle was of the same make. And it appears all of the Highlanders were newer models.
In a prepared statement, spokesperson Sandy Di Felice said: "Toyota is confident in the integrity of our vehicle security system. We have a robust system, the integrity of which has never been compromised."
One explanation is that criminals have been able to get their hands on duplicate keys, said Dubin.
In the past, crooks have been able to convince dealerships they are owners who have lost theirs. Another explanation, he said, is that the Highlanders were simply towed away, which has also been a problem.
The latter seems unlikely.
When she went to sleep Tuesday night, Paula King had parked her 2007 Highlander on her narrow driveway, close to the garage door. Her husband pulled in after her, parking next to the road.
"It was like they would have had to do a 20-point turn, then drive across our neighbour's lawn to get it out of there," said the 44-year-old.
Every year, auto thefts cost Canadians more than $1 billion.
Organized criminals are targeting high-end vehicles, then shipping them to foreign countries in West Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Dubai and Ghana are well-known hotspots.
Stolen cars are sometimes loaded into shipping containers within an hour. Transport trucks then drive them to border cities such as Quebec or Halifax.
The problem, said Brian Vaile, who works in product development with the Globali vehicle recovery network, is that Canadian border officials are concerned about shipments coming into the country, not so much going out. "It doesn't matter if you're in Toronto or Winnipeg," he said. "If it gets in one of those containers, it's gone."
Both police agencies and the insurance bureau have been calling for tougher legislation. Even repeat offenders rarely face jail time.
Bill C-26, which would toughen sentences for repeat offenders and create a specific criminal offence for auto thieves and traffickers, is in its final stages through the Senate.
Investigators fear thieves now able to outsmart microchip technology found in newer models
After six Toyota Highlanders disappeared from Leaside in the same night, fear has begun to spread in the auto industry that organized crime bosses have finally been able to crack microchip technology specifically created to stop car thieves.
Investigators with the Insurance Bureau of Canada are scrambling to determine if there is a link between a recent string of SUV thefts in the GTA.
Since it became mandatory two years ago, all new vehicles come outfitted with electronic immobilizers, which prevent the unauthorized starting of vehicles. The technology, which is comprised of a chip in the key that tells the engine to start, was designed to stop hot-wiring thefts.
But now, some are worried car thieves have found another way.
"It's important not to jump to conclusions, because we don't yet know how these vehicles were stolen," said Rick Dubin, the insurance bureau's vice-president of investigative services.
"We're not aware of a case yet where individuals involved in organized auto theft have been able to override the immobilizer."
Still, a team of investigators is working with various law enforcement agencies to identify common threads in recent thefts.
Last year, 125,000 vehicles were stolen in Canada, but Wednesday's heists were especially unusual.
Between 7 and 8:30 a.m., six Leaside residents woke up to discover their SUVs were gone. All the targeted homes were in the same neighbourhood. Each vehicle was of the same make. And it appears all of the Highlanders were newer models.
In a prepared statement, spokesperson Sandy Di Felice said: "Toyota is confident in the integrity of our vehicle security system. We have a robust system, the integrity of which has never been compromised."
One explanation is that criminals have been able to get their hands on duplicate keys, said Dubin.
In the past, crooks have been able to convince dealerships they are owners who have lost theirs. Another explanation, he said, is that the Highlanders were simply towed away, which has also been a problem.
The latter seems unlikely.
When she went to sleep Tuesday night, Paula King had parked her 2007 Highlander on her narrow driveway, close to the garage door. Her husband pulled in after her, parking next to the road.
"It was like they would have had to do a 20-point turn, then drive across our neighbour's lawn to get it out of there," said the 44-year-old.
Every year, auto thefts cost Canadians more than $1 billion.
Organized criminals are targeting high-end vehicles, then shipping them to foreign countries in West Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Dubai and Ghana are well-known hotspots.
Stolen cars are sometimes loaded into shipping containers within an hour. Transport trucks then drive them to border cities such as Quebec or Halifax.
The problem, said Brian Vaile, who works in product development with the Globali vehicle recovery network, is that Canadian border officials are concerned about shipments coming into the country, not so much going out. "It doesn't matter if you're in Toronto or Winnipeg," he said. "If it gets in one of those containers, it's gone."
Both police agencies and the insurance bureau have been calling for tougher legislation. Even repeat offenders rarely face jail time.
Bill C-26, which would toughen sentences for repeat offenders and create a specific criminal offence for auto thieves and traffickers, is in its final stages through the Senate.
