Vehicle thieves in Canada keep on truckin’

Organized criminals in Canada are increasingly targeting Ford F-series trucks, with these vehicles occupying seven of the top 10 spots on the country’s most frequently stolen vehicle list for 2014, note figures released Wednesday by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Although the incidence of auto theft in Canada has decreased – it dropped 8% from 2012 to 2013 – there were still 72,804 vehicles stolen last year, notes a statement from IBC. Most provinces are seeing auto theft go down, IBC reports, but there were a few exceptions: Newfoundland and Labrador had a 2% increase; Alberta had an 11% increase; and Yukon had a 29% increase.

IBC’s full annual stolen vehicle list for 2014 is as follows:

• Ford F-350 SD 4WD PU 2007
• Ford F-350 SD 4WD PU 2006
• Ford F-250 SD 4WD PU 2007
• Cadillac ESCALADE 4DR 4WD SUV 2003
• Ford F-350 SD 4WD PU 2005
• Honda CIVIC 2DR COUPE 2D 1999
• Ford F-350 SD 4WD PU 2004
• Ford F-250 SD 4WD PU 2006
• Honda CIVIC SiR 2DR 2D 2000
• Ford F-350 SD 4WD PU 2003

“The trend of stolen F-series trucks was also seen in Alberta where there was a 50% increase,” Rick Dubin, vice president of investigative services for IBC, says in the bureau statement.

Dubin points out that for the first time in years, “three stolen F-series trucks, intended for export, were seized at the ports of Montreal and Halifax.” Given these trends, he says he believes the majority of stolen F-series vehicles were most likely re-vinned – given a false vehicle identification number (VIN) – and sold to unsuspecting consumers.

Beyond the increase in F-series trucks on the 2014 list, organized criminals are also now concentrating on acquiring more high-end vehicles, including those made by Lexus, Audi, BMW and Mercedes. IBC expects that thieves then likely shipped the vehicles to West Africa.

IBC advises buyers to beware and drivers to remain vigilant.

Buyers looking to purchase a used vehicle should be sure to get it “from a reputable dealer, have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic and run a vehicle history check,” the statement notes. A reputable repair shop can also provide information to ensure stolen parts purchased online are not used.

In addition, Dubin notes, “don’t make it easy for thieves. Approximately 20% of all stolen vehicles have keys in them.”

Never leaving a running vehicle unattended, parking in a well-lit area, closing car windows and locking doors, and putting valuables and packages in car trunks will help deter a professional thief, who can steal a vehicle in about 30 seconds.