8 search results for "toyota highlander"

Toyota thefts recall 2009 heist of 6 Highlanders in Leaside

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HIgh-tech Toyota gang at work

It was November 2009 when six Toyota Highlander families woke and found their family cars gone. At the time, and ever since for that matter, it was as if they vanished into thin air.  Michael Dougherty of Rumsey Road was robbed of his car and like all the other victims has never heard a thing about these obviously well-oiled thefts. And it appears the same gang, or one just as good, is at it again. Since January 2015, 33 Division (just north of South Bayview) has experienced the theft of 13 vehicles apparently taken with the same high-tech savvy that marked the 2009 heists.  It is believed that the suspect(s) may have access to electronic devices that can bypass the vehicle security system.  Investigators are suggesting the following safety tips to protect your vehicle from theft: Lock your vehicle with the windows rolled up;  secure your spare key in a safe location and never leave it in the vehicle; park your vehicle with wheels turned towards the curb; apply your emergency brakes when parking your vehicle; park your vehicle in your garage, if possible, and lock the vehicle doors while in the garage  never leave the vehicle registration in the vehicle;  use a steering-wheel lock; test both sets of keys after leaving your vehicle with a valet, car wash, or repair shop.  People are reminded to call police and report any suspicious activity or suspicious person(s) near their vehicles.

Two costly attempts to steal Leaside Toyota in just 4 months

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TPS map showing auto theft this year in 53 Division
Two hits in four months for family near Southvale and Rolph/Google

The costly nature of car theft extends to the damage done to the vehicle even if the thieves fail. This plaintive post tells of the expensive repairs required to a Toyota Highlander after two recent attempts within four months near Southvale Drive and Rolph Rd. TPS Crime Stats Map

Police warn South Bayview owners of Lexus, Toyota SUVs

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Police at 53 Division are warning owners of Lexus and Toyota SUVs to get their cars locked and, if at all possible, into garages. Detectives are not sure whether the gang of thieves stealing these vehicles in the area, including South Bayview, have access to electronic devices which can compromise an SUV’s security system. But there has been a spike in the theft of these vehicles and the dirty work is being done smoothly. There is no sign of damage at any of the scenes. It began in January. Investigators are asking members of the public to be vigilant when securing their SUVs, even in their driveways. Using a locked garage is recommended and any spare keys for SUVs should be kept in a safe location.

SIX DISAPPEARED ONE NIGHT IN 2009

They also ask people to report what they see. Suspicious cars patrolling the neighborhood or anyone lingering near a car. All of this is too similar to the night six years ago of the big Toyota sweep: Toyota thefts recall 2009 heist of six Highlanders  It is still unsolved. There is a very sophisticated organization at work. They have inside knowledge of the vehicles and how to get them out of the country. These cars are popular abroad and unlike U.S. trademarks such as GM and Ford the Japanese cars blend right into the local scene.

Rampant car theft in South Bayview as three stolen in days

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A new thread at Leaside Chit Chat indicates that car theft is rampant in Leaside and area. A Lexus RX350 and a Highlander were taken from near Donlea Dr. and Hanna Rd. The post says that both cars were locked with the keys well hidden. Another post says a Highlander was stolen from near Millwood Rd. and Forman Ave. The post says yet another Highlander and a 4Runner were stolen in November from the same area. 

YORK REGIONAL POLICE SAY SUVS SHIPPED TO NORTH AFRICA

York Regional Police revealed Thursday that SUV thieves are stealing late model vehicles throughout the GTA at a blazing rate. Some 80 have been stolen and apparently shipped to North Africa where there is high demand. The thieves reportedly move quickly with thefts taking no longer than 10-20 minutes, York Police allege. The culprits use screwdrivers to gain access to the vehicles without triggering any alarms. Once they gain access, the thieves then make use of an electronic device which allows them to reprogram the car. “This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys,” reads the YRP news release. According to the police, most of the thefts have occurred between midnight and 6:00 AM. Drivers should be on high alert if they own any of the following vehicles: Lexus RX350, Lexus GX460, Toyota 4Runner, and the Toyota Highlander. Police say the video below shows such a theft in progress.

Cops say Service Ontario employee key part of car theft ring

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A Service Ontario employee has been arrested and accused of obtaining VIN numbers and key codes for high-end cars in Toronto. At a news conference today police said that this employee provided the information to a locksmith who was able to make keys. The locksmith is also under arrest. The two are alleged to have been part of a large conspiracy to steal cars organized by the so-called Black Axe, a Nigerian mob. With the keys, it was fairly easy work for the ring to steal as many as 500 vehicles in the middle of the night. They were shipped out of east coast ports to Africa for re-sale. This activity has been taking place for many months across Toronto, including South Bayview neighborhoods in Midtown.

LEASIDE TOYOTA THEFTS

The explanations of how the thefts were facilitated by a government employee recalls the theft of six Toyota Highlanders from Leaside and nearby driveways in 2009. It was never explained how such a theft could have been committed. Those thefts are not part of the current arrests nor is the VIN and key code theft necessarily how those cars were taken. Nonetheless, the presence of an inside thief at Service Ontario would explain how the Toyotas were taken so quietly in the night.  CBC   Previous posts  Nigerian news report 

53 Division event wrestles with bikes on sidewalk

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A Toronto Police Service community safety meeting at North Toronto Collegiate Institute touched on subjects ranging from online dating to bicycles on the sidewalk. The meeting, organized by officers from 53 Division, was called Lane Changes. Some officers conceded to members of the mostly-seniors audience that frequently cyclists seem to ride with a disregard for everyone’s safety on both the road and the sidewalk.  There was a sense of entitlement. Police insisted however that responsible cycling clubs support safe riding habits. The subject opened a split among those present over the apparently unsolvable issue of just where it is safe to ride a bike. One woman cyclist said she would be dead if she did not ride on the sidewalk, something that is not legal in Toronto. Members of the audience challenged her, saying bicycles on the sidewalk were a threat to the lives of both young and old. She could not know where the pedestrians were going to walk, especially when approaching from behind. It was agreed there were a number of complaints about this matter from people on Bayview Ave. Staff Sergeant Mathew Moyer spoke on personal safety subjects. An unexpected line of discussion dealt with staying safe when one dates online. He suggested a woman might like to arrange to meet a blind date at a location other than her home. “Make people earn your trust,” he said. Staff Sgt Moyer also advised both men and women to be careful getting off the subway later in the evening. Her mentioned what he called the buddy system — staying in proximity to another pedestrian as far possible, even if you don’t know him. The division’s commander, Superintendent Scott Gilbert, spoke about car theft and break-ins. He reviewed the stolen car arrests of August and noted that the yellow Porsche stolen here (and known as Yellowbird to police) was found in Romania. Later he was asked whether there are any leads in the theft of six Toyota Highlanders from Leaside driveways in 2009. He did not know of the case but said it is possible those responsible are in custody for other crimes. Inspector Suzanne Walsh, second in command at 53 Division headquarters on Eglinton Ave. W. said that some troublesome intersections with traffic lights in the division were Overlea Blvd and Thorncliffe Park Drive (they actually meet twice) and Yonge St and Eglinton Ave. The meeting was attended by about 125 people. 

South Bayview alerted to theft of high-end cars

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Toronto Police Service has issued a specific warning to residents of neighborhoods adjoining South Bayview  (in 53 Division) with regard to the night-time theft of expensive cars. This year, some 24 such cars have been stolen from homes in Toronto.  Police have video images of one suspect from a break-in the in the high-end Kingsway neighborhood of Etobicoke. These are apparently brazen break-ins which may occur when residents are at home. It hasn’t been said that any car thefts by these thieves have occurred locally but it seems certain that neighborhoods like York Mills, Lawrence Park, Leaside, Moore Park, Rosedale and others would be readily targeted by this ring. Police also remember the elaborate theft of Toyota Highlander vehicles from driveways in Leaside and area in recent years. As in that case, police believe the current stolen cars are probably being smuggled out of the country.

Overnight car theft on Donlea Drive

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Police report that a resident of Donlea Drive had a car stolen after a break-in at the home. The break-in apparently resulted in the keys being obtained. This happened Sunday morning about 430 am. Curiously, it is not known how entry was gained to the home. Readers will remember that several Toyota Highlanders were stolen from area driveways last year with no evidence of how they were started. That case has never been solved.