Apple tracking devices being used in thefts of high-end cars in York Region: police
Police in York Region say they have discovered a new way in which thieves are using Apple technology to track and eventually steal high-end cars in the area.
In a news release issued Thursday, investigators said they have identified at least five incidents since September where suspects have placed Apple AirTags in “out-of-sight” areas of the vehicles when they are parked in public spaces like malls and parking lots.
Thieves then use the AirTags, a small circular device that can be tracked via the “Find My” app, to locate the vehicle at the victim’s residence.
After the vehicle is located, police said that thieves will use tools like screwdrivers to gain entry through the passenger or driver side door. Once inside, an electronic device that police say is typically used by mechanics to reset a vehicle to factory settings, is connected to the onboard diagnostics port below the dashboard of the car.
From there, the vehicle is programed to accept a key the suspects have brought with them that can then be used to start the car and drive away.
According to York Regional Police, various methods of theft have been used to steal some 2,000 vehicles in the area over the past year.
At the same time, police said that its auto/cargo theft unit has remained “active and aggressive” in combatting the issue. At least 100 people have been arrested, “significant” charges have been laid, and roughly 350 vehicles have been returned to their rightful owners in the past year as a result of investigative efforts, police said.
“Despite this success, thieves are constantly developing new methods to facilitate these thefts [and] the number of vehicle thefts continues to rise,” police said.
As a result, police have offered up a number of tips to keep your vehicle safe, including:
- If you own an iPhone, you may receive a notification that an AirTag is nearby
- If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage as most vehicles are stolen from a driveway
- Use a steering wheel lock, which will also work as a visual deterrent
- Install a lock on your car’s data port. Police said the simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the vehicle’s computer port
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Crown wants Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich returned to jail to await trial
Prosecutors say accepting “Freedom Award” breaks condition that Lich not express support for convoy cause
Prince Charles receives military award as second day of Canadian royal tour begins
Prince Charles was invested as an extraordinary commander in the Order of Military Merit and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial as he began the second day of his Platinum Jubilee tour of Canada.
'Suffer in silence:' Experts worry of fallout from public reaction to Amber Heard's testimony
As Johnny Depp's defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard stretches into its fifth week, experts say public reaction to Heard's testimony sends a perilous reminder that despite the 'MeToo' movement, the credibility of alleged victims of abuse can be fragile.
Portugal identifies five monkeypox infections, Spain has eight suspected cases
Portuguese authorities said on Wednesday they had identified five cases of rare monkeypox infection and Spain's health services are testing eight potential cases after Britain put Europe on alert for the virus.
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.
Confirmed tornado touched down in southern Sask.: Environment Canada
Environment Canada confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Caron, Sask. on Tuesday night.
Worry, buyer's remorse high as real estate market slowdown materializes
A wave of buyer's remorse is taking shape in several heated real estate markets, after housing prices started dropping and the number of sales slowed over the last two months.
BREAKING | Canada's inflation rate hits three-decade high of 6.8 per cent: StatCan
The cost of nearly everything at the grocery store continued to climb higher to push the annual inflation rate up in April.
What's the average price of a home where you live?
While the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association shows that the average price of a home in Canada declined month-over-month, Canadians still spent more on home purchases in April 2022 than they did one year before. CTVNews.ca has gathered properties from across the country, listed at what is considered the average price of a home in their respective regions.
Montreal
-
Legault insists health care won't change under Bill 96, calls out 'disinformation'; experts disagree
Peppered with questions on Bill 96, Legault said there's been 'disinformation' spreading, in his opinion -- and that on one important question, health care, many critics of the bill are wrong. In fact, the bill is confusing on that point and the details still haven't been fully explained.
-
Animal rights activists want to take Longueuil, Quebec to court over deer cull
Animal rights activists have filed a lawsuit against the City of Longueuil and the Quebec government for what they are calling an "unnecessary and cruel slaughter" to control the deer population at Michel-Chartrand Park.
-
Quebec reports 14 more COVID-19 deaths, drop of 35 hospitalizations
Quebec reported a drop of 35 hospitalizations for COVID-19 on Wednesday, along with 14 more deaths from the virus.
London
-
'Brandon’s been shot': London police investigating early morning shooting
London, Ont. police are investigating an overnight shooting in the city.
-
Pick-up strikes restaurant near Listowel
It was not a typical morning at Country Sisters Restaurant after a pick-up ended up inside the building.
-
London, Ont. driver could face up to $10,000 fine
An 18-year-old could face up to a $10,000 fine and will be without a vehicle and drivers licence for the next little while.
Kitchener
-
Human remains found in water near Dunnville
Provincial police have launched an investigation after human remains were found in the water in Dunnville, just northwest of Port Maitland.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Interim Waterloo regional police chief named
Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman says Inspector John Goodman will take over as interim police chief when current chief Bryan Larkin leaves in July.
-
Search continues for missing man in Cambridge, still no cause released in child's death
The search continued Tuesday for a man police say may have information about the death of an 8-year-old boy in Cambridge. Neighbours also shared their concerns about the police response.
Northern Ontario
-
Charges pending in Highway 11 crash, road fully reopened
The driver of a transport is going to be facing charges after the vehicle ended up on its side blocking Highway 11 south of North Bay for most of Tuesday, police say.
-
Federal offender has ties to North Bay and Sudbury, officials warn
A federal offender wanted for violating his release conditions could be in Sudbury or North Bay.
-
Sudbury woman wins Miss International Canada title
A northern Ontario woman will represent Canada in an international beauty pageant in Japan later this year after winning second place in the Miss Universe Canada competition on the weekend.
Ottawa
-
LIVE BLOG
LIVE BLOG | Live updates: Prince Charles and Camilla visit Ottawa
Follow along for live updates on Prince Charles and his wife Camilla's visit to Ottawa on Wednesday.
-
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Here's where Prince Charles and Camilla are stopping on their visit to Ottawa
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have a busy itinerary in Ottawa on Day 2 of their visit to Canada.
-
'Please' before 'cheese': Answers to your royal etiquette questions
Etiquette expert Julie Blais Comeau answers your questions about how to address the royal couple, how to dress if you're meeting them, and whether or not you can ask for a selfie.
Windsor
-
'Tasteless' poster at LaSalle high school sparks concern from parents
A LaSalle mom is expressing concern online over a “tasteless” poster in a classroom at her daughter’s school.
-
Essex-Windsor EMS helping out Ukraine with donation of medical supplies
Paramedics and residents of Ukraine are getting a boost of medical supplies from Essex-Windsor EMS.
-
Windsor woman charged after police seize guns and drugs
A 31-year-old Windsor woman is facing charges after police seized two rifles and drugs following an investigation.
Barrie
-
One dead, two injured in multi-vehicle crash in Bradford
Police are appealing for witnesses to a deadly multi-vehicle collision on Tuesday in Bradford.
-
Driver accused of travelling 132km/h in 50 zone in Collingwood
Police stopped a driver accused of travelling well over the speed limit through Collingwood in the early morning hours on Wednesday.
-
Canada-wide warrant issued for federal offender who could be in Simcoe County
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a federal offender known to frequent areas of Simcoe County.
Atlantic
-
NEW
NEW | Chantel Moore shot by N.B. police officer in chest, abdomen and leg, inquest hears
The pathologist who conducted an autopsy on Chantel Moore says the 26-year-old Indigenous woman was shot twice in the chest, once in the abdomen and once in her left leg.
-
NEW
NEW | RCMP incident commander says radio service a challenge during N.S. mass shooting
A retired RCMP officer who led much of the response to the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia testified today that spotty radio service posed challenges as Mounties chased a murderous suspect.
-
Fisheries Department issuing licenses in N.L. without checking boat registration: TSB
An investigation into a fatal 2020 fishing accident in Newfoundland has prompted the Transportation Safety Board to call on the federal Fisheries Department to change the way it issues fishing licences.
Calgary
-
$100K raised for 5 Calgary siblings orphaned in crash
Five Calgary siblings who lost their mother and father in a three-month period are set to receive financial support from an online fundraising campaign.
-
1 dead in Deer Ridge house fire
A Tuesday night fire in a southeast neighbourhood has left one man dead.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Canada's inflation rate hits three-decade high of 6.8 per cent: StatCan
The cost of nearly everything at the grocery store continued to climb higher to push the annual inflation rate up in April.
Winnipeg
-
Cyclist in critical condition after being hit by garbage truck: Winnipeg police
A cyclist was taken to the hospital in critical condition on Wednesday after a crash with a garbage truck at a Winnipeg intersection.
-
'A pretty amazing phenomenon': Giant ice shoves form on Lake Winnipeg
Even though it is spring, some Manitobans were in for a cool surprise over the weekend as ice piled up on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, creating what looked like giant hills of ice.
-
What Manitobans can expect for gas prices this summer
As gas prices reached a new Canadian record once again, an expert said that Manitobans could be spared from the record-high prices – for now.
Vancouver
-
These 11 hikes are considered B.C.'s riskiest: AdventureSmart
Some of the most popular hikes in British Columbia are also the riskiest, says a group geared towards outdoor safety.
-
Man pushed to the ground, punched in the face in unprovoked attack at SkyTrain station: police
An unprovoked attack at a SkyTrain station led to a man being arrested in New Westminster last week, local police say.
-
Spring storm brings high winds and heavy rain to Metro Vancouver
Those living in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are being warned to brace for strong winds and heavy rain Wednesday.
Edmonton
-
Alberta's Kenney to learn fate as party announces results of leadership review vote
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is to learn today if he still has enough support from his party to stay on as leader.
-
Flames, Oilers bring potent offences to second-round NHL playoff series
Two potent offences clash in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal starting Wednesday in Calgary.
-
Man charged 6 months after Gateway Boulevard triple stabbing
The man believed to be behind a triple stabbing near 81 Avenue and Gateway Boulevard in November has been arrested and charged, Edmonton police say.