WATCH: Video shows carjackings in York Region; police warn of rise in violent vehicle thefts

York Regional Police are out with a video compilation of several brash carjackings in an effort to caution residents about a surge in thefts and offer prevention tips.

The video shows a series of carjackings taking place in a variety of settings, including in a busy parking lot, a gas station, and in the victim’s driveway.

In most thefts the suspects follow luxury vehicles and wait for the victims to park or come to a stop. Once stopped the suspects ambush the victim when they exit their car and take the keys.

The first incident in the video shows a pair of suspects causing a collision when they were already being followed by police. The suspects proceeded to commit another carjacking immediately after the crash, forcing an unsuspecting victim out of their vehicle in the middle of an intersection.

“Carjacking incidents often have threatening or actual elements of violence, where the suspect approaches the victim and steals their vehicle,” reads a release from York Regional Police.

“A theft occurs when the vehicle is stolen when it is left unattended. Aspects of these offences can vary, but in both cases, criminals are looking for the opportunity to take the most valuable vehicles they can find, as quickly and easily as possible, to then sell for profit.”

York police say thousands of vehicles have been stolen in the last few years with the rate of carjackings having more than doubled in the region since 2019. They warn most thefts occur between midnight and 6 a.m. and often occur in a victim’s driveway after suspects followed them home.

Police say 65 per cent of the incidents have resulted in suspects being arrested and charged.

“Officers have remained active and aggressive in efforts to combat these issues, including initiating several major projects which have led to hundreds of arrests, significant charges laid and hundreds of vehicles being recovered in the last year,” reads the police release.

“Despite this success, thieves are constantly developing new methods to accomplish these crimes.”

Carjacking prevention tips from police

Police are urging vehicle owners to take the following tips into consideration to help prevent further thefts:

Carjacking prevention tips

• Trust your instincts and be aware of your surroundings.
• If you suspect you are being followed, on the road or into your driveway, call 911.
• If you are approached by thieves, remain calm and comply. Don’t fight back. Call 911 as soon as possible.

Vehicle prevention tips

• Call police immediately to report suspicious people or activity.
• If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage. Most vehicles are stolen from a driveway.
• Use a steering wheel lock. It will also act as a visible deterrent.
• Install a lock on the data port. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys.
• Consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system.
• Inspect your vehicle regularly and call police if you notice any suspicious potential tracking devices.

Earlier this month, police arrested two men in a series of violent carjackings that took place across the GTA over the past two months.

The multi-jurisdictional investigation, dubbed Project Tyga, identified 19 carjackings in Toronto, Peel Region, and York Region, and led to the recovery of 17 stolen vehicles.

The investigation began in March when several high-end vehicles were stolen from owners across the three jurisdictions.