WRPS BEVT Team Arrest Three in Reprogramming Theft Investigation

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have arrested three individuals in connection to vehicle reprogramming thefts from Waterloo Region.

Since June 2023, WRPS Break, Enter, and Vehicle Theft (BEVT) Team members investigated several reprogramming theft incidents.

The vehicles were taken from the areas of Pioneer Tower West, Eastbridge, and Breslau.

On August 10, 2023, members of the BEVT Team arrested three individuals as a result of an ongoing investigation into reprogramming theft of high-end vehicles.

As a result of the investigation, officers seized four vehicles with a value of approximately $430,000, suspected heroin, vehicle break-in tools and reprogramming devices.

A 25-year-old male from Brampton was arrested and charged with:

A 24-year-old female from Toronto was arrested and charged with:

A 24-year-old Kitchener male was arrested and charged with:

The three individuals were held for a bail hearing.

The investigation remains ongoing and more charges are anticipated.

How does relay vehicle theft work?

The suspect will approach a residence and use technology to find a key fob signal from inside a residence. The technology allows the suspects to remain outside the residence to amplify and transfer the key fob signal in order to unlock, start and steal the vehicle. The theft of the vehicle typically goes undetected until the morning when the owner discovers the vehicle has been stolen and they are still in possession of the key fob.

How does reprogramming vehicle theft work?

The suspects will approach the vehicle and force entry inside. Once inside the vehicle, an electronic device is used to access the vehicles diagnostics. The suspects then reprogram a blank key fob so the vehicle can be started.

How to protect your vehicle from a Relay or Reprogramming Theft?

Make your vehicle more secure with the following prevention tips:

If you observe suspicious people in your neighbourhood who are looking into vehicles we encourage you to call police immediately. This will assist investigators to track patterns of criminal behavior and potentially identify suspects.

A crime in-progress can be reported by calling 9-1-1. Any non-emergency incidents can be reported on-line at wrps.on.ca or by calling 519-570-9777.

Occ: 23-193583 (913)

Media Inquiries:

Waterloo Regional Police Service Public Information Unit 519-570-9777 (WRPS) ext. 8188 [email protected]

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