Barrie police have issued a public warning after five vehicles have been reported stolen in the city since Sunday.
Police say four of the thefts happened in local driveways and the fifth occurred at a shopping plaza.
"Of the four stolen from driveways, they all appear to have been stolen overnight while the other occurred late yesterday afternoon," police stated in a news release on Wednesday.
The recent thefts involve a 2022 Dodge Durango, a 2022 GMC Yukon, a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, a 2010 Cadillac DTS, and a 2017 Jeep Compass. In the past, police have also taken numerous stolen vehicle reports for make and models that include Dodge Rams, Toyota Highlanders and Lexus RX350s.
City police are reminding people to always lock their vehicle when you park it and, if possible, immobilize it to prevent it from being stolen.
"The Barrie Police Service is strongly encouraging the public to take a few minutes and make certain that no spare keys or key fobs are in their motor vehicles and that all keys and fobs are accounted for," stated the release. "Investing in a Faraday pouch for key fobs, a steering wheel locking device, an ignition-immobilizing device and even a tire chock lock or parking boot are all ways to help prevent you from becoming a victim of auto theft."
If possible, police also suggest parking your vehicle in a garage, "but don’t forget to lock the car and any doors that may lead in or out of the garage."
As "organized" vehicle thefts continue, "owners must do more to protect their investment and always secure their vehicles when they leave them," police say. "Check and double check that your doors are locked as this is always a good place to start – anything that you can do beyond that would be helpful and may prevent you from becoming the next victim of an opportunistic thief."
