Vehicle theft on the rise in Woodstock Police offering prevention tips

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Woodstock Police Service is warning the public after an increased number of vehicle thefts.

“In 2024 we had 118 stolen vehicles so far in 2025, we have 18 confirmed stolen and seven attempted thefts,” according to Inspector Jamie Taylor, who added the uptake in thefts isn’t just a Woodstock problem.

“It’s much larger than that. There are communities across the province and country going through this. When you mention Woodstock’s proximity to the 401 and 403, it certainly adds a layer of complexity with criminals being able to come in and out with quick access, it creates an issue.”

Police say several high-end vehicles have been stolen with the help of relay and reprogramming technology in the past month. Reports indicate newer model pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles with keyless entry and push start technology are top of mind for the bad guys. The thefts typically occurred overnight.

“There are two different types of crimes when it comes to auto thefts. There is the crime of opportunity where criminals are out lifting door handles at night looking for whatever they can steal money or other valuables. People still leave sets of keys inside vehicles and the thief will take it for a joyride,” said Taylor.

He added the organized crime aspect is when police see high-end vehicles being taken using technology.

“Those are the more sophisticated thefts. The criminals know

Relay thefts occur once a suspect approaches a residence and uses technology to find a key fob signal from inside a home. It allows the suspects to remain outside the residence to amplify and transfer the key fob signal to unlock, start and steal the vehicle. The theft will typically be undetected until the morning when the owner discovers an empty driveway with a key fob still in their hand.

“The suspects will approach the vehicle and force entry inside. Once inside, an electronic device is used to access the vehicle's diagnostics. The suspects then reprogram a blank key fob so the vehicle can be started and steal it,” explained Taylor.

Woodstock Police are offering several theft prevention tips:

• Park your vehicle inside a locked and secure garage.

• Block access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprograming the vehicle’s key fob. A simple device 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, called a Faraday bag, to block cell signals when not in use.

• Consider equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker. The tracker may 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.

A Faraday bag is a specialized bag or container designed to block electromagnetic fields, including those used in wireless communication technologies. They protect electronics from radio frequency interference or electromagnetic pulses. They can also be used to shield car keys from electronic communication, preventing thieves from gaining access.

Taylor said they are an affordable and effective way to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime.

“For the cost of a bag versus these vehicles? It can also affect insurance rates when they are stolen.”

Amazon, for example, sells various versions of the bag, or box, ranging anywhere from $15 to $40. Police in Woodstock work closely with neighbouring services as well as those across the province. Taylor said the more information they can share the better chances of making arrests.

“We work collaboratively and we also share training courses. We look at what’s going on in our cities and if we see similar patterns then obviously, we distribute that information so we can get ahead and be proactive.”

As always, police encourage residents to call them if something doesn’t seem right.

“If you observe suspicious people in your neighborhood, looking into vehicles, we encourage you to report this to police immediately. Doing so will assist investigators to track patterns of criminal behavior and potentially identify suspects,” added Taylor.