Toyota Tundra trucks targeted by thieves, police in Guelph and Waterloo region warn

Police in both Guelph and Waterloo region say there has been a rash of thefts or attempted thefts involving Toyota Tundra trucks.

In the most recent case in Guelph, police were called to a home in the east end for reports that a 2022 grey Tundra was stolen from the driveway of a home. 

It happened around 5 a.m. on Friday near Washburn Drive and Summit Ridge Drive. The resident hear a "beeping noise coming from the vehicle," a release sent out Friday said.

"The caller did advise as well that when she looked outside after hearing [the beeping] noise she saw her truck being driven away followed by two other black pickup trucks," Guelph Police Service spokesperson Scott Tracey told CBC News. 

Since Sept. 1, there have been seven thefts and four attempted thefts of Tundras in Guelph and police have recovered one stolen Tundra from Toronto, Tracey said. 

WATCH | Watch as Cambridge man tries to stop SUV theft:

Watch as a Cambridge man tries to stop SUV theft

1 year ago

Duration 0:13

Ken Noel was warming up his SUV outside his Cambridge, Ont., home when he says a man walked up the driveway and got inside the vehicle. Noel tried to stop the man from driving away. The ordeal was captured by Noel's security camera.

Meanwhile, police in Waterloo region said they have had 12 reports of Tundra truck thefts or attempted thefts since Jan. 1. 

Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) released security video of a suspect attempting to steal a Tundra truck but when the person sees a tag tracking sticker through the window, they leave. 

WRPS suggests some measures owners and drivers can take to help prevent thefts, including:

• Blocking access to the onboard diagnostic port to prevent thieves from reprogramming the vehicle's key fob.
• Using a steering wheel locking device to deter theft.
• When not in use, placing the vehicle key fob inside a radio frequency shielding bag/pouch to block cell signals.
• Considering equipping your vehicle with an aftermarket global positioning system (GPS) tracker. The tracker may assist police in locating the vehicle and/or suspects. 
• Considering installing a wired camera system and audible alarm, as suspects are known to carry devices that can jam wireless cameras.
• Ensuring all keys are accounted for and never left in the vehicle or unattended.