Thieves target high-end SUVs in Ottawa's west end

An Ottawa family that had two pricey SUVs stolen from their driveway in one week wants police to take a tougher approach to vehicle thefts.

On Tuesday, June 5, Sarah Grand's white 2017 LexusRX-350disappeared from its spot in front of her McKellarPark home. Precisely one week later, her husband's black 2017 Toyota 4Runnervanished.

"It hasn't been a great week," Grand sighed.

"It gives you a real sense of insecurity.It's just disheartening andyou feel violated."

On the same day Grand's vehicle disappeared, thieves made off with another high-end LexusSUVfrom MeekaProudfoot'sdrivewayjust a few blocks away.

In all the cases, the vehicles were locked.

"My heart sank. I feel violated. They were on my property and my babies were asleep," Proudfoot said.

"At the end of the day it's just a car and everyone is safe and that's what counts, but it's still icky."

Neither Grand nor Proudfootheard their vehicle's alarmgo off, and no broken glass indicatedthievesforced their way intothe SUVs, both of which have keyless entry andignition.

Victims want more police presence

Both women are calling on police to do more to stop such thefts.

"At the very least they need to come out and speak to the residents and see if anyone has seen anything suspicious," Grand said.

"I'd like to see more patrol cars in the area especially in the evening."

Two police officers came to Proudfoot'shome after she reported the theft.

"I was surprised hownonchalantthe police were about it, saying, 'Oh yeah, it's gone.'So if it's happening like this maybe more should be done, maybe we need a higher presence of police," she said.

Proudfootsaid police told her the theftappeared to be a case of "very sophisticated hacking" and that her car had likely been driven to Montreal and onto an overseas container ship before she even woke up.

Police told her, where possible, high-end vehicles should be parked in a garage.

But Proudfootsaid her SUVwas too large to fit into her garage.

Sarah Grand, who has a two-car garage, was told the same thing by police.

"I hate that that's myonly option that I have to put my car in the garage to feel safe," she said.

'It's scary to think someone is watching us'

Grand believes the theft of her vehicleswasn't random.

Her husband had a previousToyota4Runnerstolen last August from their driveway.

Several weeks ago while sitting in her car in the driveway, she noticed a man drivingslowly down her street and it appeared he was filminghomes withhiscell phone.

"It's scary, it's scary to think someone is watching us and noticing our patterns as a family," Grand said.

"Idefinitelywill be more vigilant and we're getting security cameras installed because I need to be able to sleep at night," Proudfootsaid.

Victim of 3 thefts frustrated with police response

7 years ago

Duration 0:37

Sarah Grand says 'it's shocking' thieves were able to steal two vehicles from her property within one week.

Ottawa police said the sergeant in charge of organized auto theft was unavailable for an interview and could notcomment on an ongoing investigation.

Police said in an email vehicle owners should park safely in their driveways and "block them with a secondary vehicle when possible."

Last December Ottawa police charged three men, including one from Ottawa, with 141 offences involving the theft of 18 Toyotaand LexusSport Utility Vehicles with a total value of $745,000.

Police saidmany of those vehicles were recovered.

No one from Toyota Canada was available for an interview but the company provided an email statement.

"When it comes to theft, certain vehicles are in higher demand than others. Toyota and Lexus are committed to helping address the security challenges that are facing the entire auto industry. We continue to develop technology that strengthens the integrity and security of our vehicles."