Unlike lightning, car thieves strike twice By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 3 · Friday, February 5, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Woman has car stolen from driveway for the second time occurred in the middle of the night, seemed similar to a recent story she'd seen in a Toronto daily newspaper that involved like circumstances. In late November, it was reported half a dozen Toyota Highlanders were stolen from the Leaside area. Police and insurance officials indicated many stolen vehicles quickly wind up in containers being shipped overseas. Eileen said she and Mark called the Halton Regional Police immediately. Police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Carr said the north Oakville couple did call police about the disappearance of their locked vehicle right out of their driveway. The police, Eileen said, indicated that the theft was highly sophisticated, was likely perpetrated by professionals and could be the same Middle Eastern car theft ring referenced in the November incident in Toronto. Eileen further said police indicated her neighbourhood is a target area for such theft because its close proximity to the QEW and Hwy. 403 offers a quick get-away route. The previous theft was similar, but not exact. Eileen said she had started the car that time. "Last time, it was the same time of the morning. I started the car, a brand new black BMW X5 worth about $75,000," said Eileen. It was a cold day in early January and at 5:45 a.m., Eileen went back into the house to grab her coffee and briefcase and when she came back out onto the driveway, the car was gone. "That time, the thieves took multiple cars from the same area, on the same morning, in the same way. The police said that the thieves had likely watched our activities for a while, determined what time of the morning I typically started the car, went inside for my coffee, and knew that they had about a 90-second window," said Eileen. "The police were responsive, but clearly indicated that this is a much bigger crime issue, i.e., a highly-sophisticated car ring," said Eileen. Where's our car? Oakville resident and Toronto lawyer Eileen McMahon has, unfortunately, twice put the query to her husband Mark. Twice, in seven years, the north Oakville couple has had their vehicle stolen. The latest theft happened sometime overnight last Sunday. On Monday, Feb. 1, Eileen walked out her front door around 5:45 a.m., en route to her Toronto firm, and thought she'd be driving the couple's brand new, silver 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Unfortunately, it wasn't in the driveway -- someone else had already jumped in the driver's seat and sped off. "Both sets of keys were in the house and the doors of the car were locked," said the Bayshire Drive resident. "This is the second time our car has been stolen out of our driveway (the first time was about seven years ago. Same house, same neighbourhood," said Eileen, who is keen to alert other residents. Eileen and her family have lived in Oakville since 1995, in the area of Ninth Line and Upper Middle Road. McMahon said the theft, which had "Sadly, it teaches you not to be as trusting. Oakville has such a warm community feel. Something like this reminds you that there can sometimes be other forces at play, like organized crime, that spills over right into the driveways of Oakville," said Eileen. "It also teaches you to be grateful, and to remember the basics in life. There was no one in the vehicle and there was no confrontation between a resident and the thieves. Who knows how aggressive the thieves would be if caught or confronted? How would they treat a neighbour who might be arriving home late, catching them in the act? So we're very grateful that no one from Oakville was hurt." As Eileen and Mark now drive a rental vehicle, Eileen is taking it all very seriously and asks "What are the odds? Twice to have my car stolen twice, out of my driveway, in Oakville? Who would have thought it." Protect your car from thieves The Halton Regional Police provide these tips for protecting your car from theft: · park in a well-lit area · never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running, even for a few seconds. Turn off the ignition and take the keys with you. · always lock all doors and windows after entering and exiting it · never leave personal identification or valuables inside and lock all valuables in the trunk. · remove GPS and cell phone devices · mount CD and MP3 players inconspicuously · engrave removable accessories such as stereos for easy identification · if you have a garage, use it and lock the vehicle and garage · if you have a front-wheel drive model, park it front end first (rear-wheel drive, back it in) · always set the emergency brake · never leave the original vehicle ownership or driver's licence documents in the car Sign Up On Line · drop a business card or address label down the panel doors to assist police with identifying the vehicle's registered owner · never hide a spare key in your car. · when buying a vehicle privately, ensure the seller has the "Used Vehicle Information Package" As an added deterrent to would-be auto thieves, there are anti-theft device(s) such as: · ignition kill switch -- toggle switch spliced into a vehicle's ignition that disables it. Only the key enables the vehicle to start. · fuel kill switch -- switch spliced into a vehicle's fuel system wiring that stops fuel supply to the engine · steering wheel lock · gearshift lock · hood lock · steering column collar -- protects a vehicle's steering column from ignition entry · electronic alarm -- those with kill switches are most effective · vehicle tracking system -- transmitter in a vehicle that enables its location to be traced electronically. www.ultimatedrivers.ca DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, LET US HELP YOUR EARN IT Six Programs to choose from: · Defensive Driving Certificate Program - MTO Approved Minimizes Road Test Time and Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount · Advance Defensive Driving Program Minimizes Road Test Time, Qualifies for Maximum Insurance Discount and Teaches You Emergency Skills · Driver Retraining Program for Reinstating Driver's License · Complete Refresher Program Prepares you for G2 or G License · Refresher Program Helps Reviewing your Driving Habits for Test · Preparation and Evaluation Warm Up Practice Before the Test WEEKEND & EVENING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE. 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