10 Guelph Dodge Rams stolen in 2 weeks amid rash of thefts across region

Police in Guelph, Waterloo region and Brantford are sounding the alarm after a string of thefts targeting Dodge Ram pickup trucks.

At least four vehicles were stolen just last night. Three were taken from addresses in Cambridge’s Hespeler area. Police say thieves used “relay and reprogramming technology” – tools that allow them to get inside and reprogram blank key fobs. One was stolen from the area of Clair Road East and Gordon Street in Guelph.

Guelph police say at least 10 Dodge Rams have been stolen in that city since Nov. 25.

One of them was Leanne Stalker’s. The theft was captured on a home security camera, showing how simple and quick it is for tech-savvy thieves to drive off with a vehicle.

“Just so smooth so professional, so organized, they're obviously scoping out properties,” Stalker said.

It took thieves less than two minutes to make off with her truck.

“It’s one of those things that you see it happen and you think it’s not going to happen to you,” she said.

Now she wants Dodge to take a better look at potential faults in its technology.

She said she’s been victim-blamed for not having better security but “just doesn’t see how that’s the owner’s fault.”

“I should not be responsible for dealing with a known fault and I really think Dodge needs to step up to the plate,” she said.

Leanne Stalker's Dodge Ram pickup truck (pictured here) was stolen from her driveway in Guelph this week, it's one of at least 10 thefts targeting the same make and model in the past two weeks in Guelph. (Submitted)

In Brantford, police say four Dodge Rams were stolen sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The pickup trucks were parked in four separate driveways or parking lots.

Brantford police say all of the vehicle were newer models with keyless entry and push-to-start ignitions.

DEMAND FOR ADDITIONAL SECURITY

Staff at Powerlines Electronics in Guelph said they’ve been getting more requests for additional truck security lately.

“A lot of the times we will suggest something like a kill switch, something that will interrupt the flow of electricity to the starter engine, where someone can't get it started if someone tries to recode, or steals the keys,” said Michael Shicoyone at Powerline Electronics.

There are two main types of kill switches, with the most popular being the short range. Bigger alarm systems are gaining popularity too.

“An alarm system will have it’s own kill switch built in so when you activate it at night, not only do you kill the starter motor, but you’re also setting an alarm so you have a siren, horn, lights, all that kind of stuff to hopefully scare somebody before they get a chance.”

Thanks to a GPS tracker, Stalker’s Ram was recovered about 12 hours later in Montreal. She’ll soon have her truck back, but not her sense of security.

“It's just a very uncomfortable feeling to know that your personal property isn’t safe, especially in a moderately small city, like Guelph,” Stalker said.

MORE VEHICLE THEFTS

Brantford police said between August and December 2022 seven vehicles were stolen in the city using relay and reprogramming technology. In Kitchener, three Dodge rams were stolen overnight in August. Just a few weeks later, four Dodge Ram 1500s were stolen in the space of an hour in Fergus, Ont.

The thieves will approach a residence and use a device to amplify and transfer the key fob signal from inside. That allows them to unlock the vehicle, and once inside, they can access the diagnostics and reprogram a blank key fob which allows them to start and steal the car.

Car owners typically don’t even know the thefts have happened until the next morning.

PREVENTING RELAY THEFTS

Brantford police shared the following tips for preventing relay and reprogramming thefts:

• Park your vehicle inside a locked and secure garage
• Block the access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprograming the vehicle’s key fob (this can be purchased online)
• Use a steering wheel locking device to deter theft
• Place the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals when not in use
• Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker that can be used to assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects
• Ensure all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended
• Lock your vehicle at all times
• Never leave your vehicle running and unattended
• Consider purchasing a surveillance system and ensure the quality and function will capture any suspicious activity for a 24-hour period

Residents are also asked to report any suspicious people seen looking into vehicles to police or Crime Stoppers.