Paris, Ont. family says vehicle stolen using key fob copying technology
A family in Paris, Ont. is without a vehicle after they woke up Tuesday morning to find it was no longer parked in the driveway.
According to Kristy Hennebury, her sister’s vehicles was missing when the family went outside in the morning. They consulted a neighbour’s surveillance footage and found out it was taken overnight.
“No trace of broken glass, no trace of anything. Come to find out it was taken at 3:20 in the morning, within near minutes from stealing the key fob signal from the front door,” Hennebury said.
Hennebury said a sense of panic set in when she found out what happened. She collected all the video she could and contacted Brant County OPP.
“You’re supposed to be able to park your vehicle in your driveway and go back to it in the morning,” Hennebury said.
According to Brant County OPP the vehicle was taken between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. It is described as a white 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe RST with slight damage to the driver's side floor runner that has been covered with black tape.
Police said it’s too early in the investigation to confirm how it was stolen, but they have seen a rise vehicle thefts using key fob copying technology.
“A vehicle of that age, it’s relatively new, 2021, is more than likely equipped with that technology. Due to the accessibility, it’s becoming easier and easier and more convenient for thieves to get their hands on what’s required to execute a theft of this nature,” OPP Const. Jonathan Bueckert said.
Police provided this picture of a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, the same make and model as the vehicle stolen from Kristy Hennebury's sister. (Submitted/OPP)
MORE RELAY AND REPROGRAMMING THEFT THIS WEEK IN WATERLOO REGION
It’s not an issue just happening in Brant County. According to Waterloo regional police, a 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate SUV and a 2022 GMC Yukon Denali SUV were taken in Wilmot Township using relay or reprogramming technology around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Police said it’s a trend that’s been seen across the province since 2021.
“Newer, high-end vehicles are often targeted. Recently, Lexus SUVs, Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes, GMC Denalis, and Dodge Rams have been targeted,” WRPS said in an email.
CALLS FOR MANUFACTURERS TO DO MORE
Hennebury said with the frequency of these thefts being reported, she doesn’t know why General Motors is not doing more to help.
“I’m not quite sure why they have not put out some sort of recall to let consumers know that there are protective measures that they can take to try and safeguard to prevent the theft,” Hennebury said.
Kristy Hennebury stands where her sister's vehicle was taken from on Tuesday. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener)
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE
General Motors did not respond to CTV’s requests for comment, but according to the Canadian Automobile Association there are steps that owners of push start vehicles can take to protect them.
One option is to use a steering wheel lock or to keep the keys away from the front door area. CAA said owners can also put the keys in a faraday bag, pouch or box that can block electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by keyless entry systems.
“You want to try and limit the risks as much as possible. Can we prevent cars from being stolen? No. You want to minimize that risk. So using a faraday pouch and putting your keys inside there, it actually blocks the radiofrequency information,” Elliott Silverstein, Director, Government Relations, at CAA Insurance said.
Silverstein says many people have a false sense of security and think if their vehicle is not one of the top stolen models, it is safe from being taken.
“Even if your car is not on the top ten list, you still need to take precautions, because even if your car is not on the list this year. It could be next year,” Silverstein said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Back on air: John Vennavally-Rao on reclaiming his career while living with cancer
'In February, there was a time when I thought my career as a TV reporter was over,' CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao writes.
The winter solstice is here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day
The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere — ideal conditions for holiday lights and warm blankets.
Death toll in attack on Christmas market in Germany rises to 5 and more than 200 injured
Germans on Saturday mourned both the victims and their shaken sense of security after a Saudi doctor intentionally drove into a Christmas market teeming with holiday shoppers, killing at least five people, including a small child, and wounding at least 200 others.
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Overheated immigration system needed 'discipline' infusion: minister
An 'overheated' immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.
School custodian stages surprise for Kitchener, Ont. students ahead of holiday break
He’s no Elf on the Shelf, but maybe closer to Ward of the Board.
Kelly Clarkson's subtle yet satisfying message to anyone single this Christmas
The singer and daytime-talk show host released a fireside video to accompany her 2021 holiday album, “When Christmas Comes Around” that she dubbed, “When Christmas Comes Around…Again.
Pope Francis reprimands Vatican staff for gossiping in annual Christmas message
Pope Francis told Vatican bureaucrats on Saturday to stop speaking ill of one another, as he once again used his annual Christmas greetings to admonish the backstabbing and gossiping among his closest collaborators.