Djeneba Dosso

The number of reported thefts has more than doubled in the last three years, climbing from 153

vehicles in 2020 to 318 last year. This increase is not unique to Gatineau. It’s a similar story

across the bridge, as Ottawa police say more than 1,200 vehicles were stolen as of December

2022. Of these, only 173 were recovered, meaning 85 per cent were never found – a figure that is

worrying for authorities.

Andrée East from the Gatineau Police says the provinces of Quebec and Ontario and the

National Capital Region have all joined forces to crack down on structured vehicle theft

networks.

On January 6, Gatineau Police arrested five individuals in connection with vehicle thefts, and

recovered three stolen vehicles, thanks to the vigilance of a citizen.

Around 5:30 am, the Gatineau resident reported the unusual presence of three SUVs parked on

rue de Fréjus. When police arrived on the scene, they found two Toyota SUVS, one with the side

windows smashed in, while the third was intercepted nearby on rue d’Antibes.

The five young men are all residents of the Greater Montreal area, between the ages of 14 and

21. They were taken to the police station to be interviewed by investigators and subsequently

released.

Charges in connection with the vehicle theft will be submitted to the Director of Criminal and

Penal Prosecutions (DPCP), as well as the Youth Division in the case of the two teenagers.

Police say the investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges may be filed. As the number

of thefts and car trading continues to rise, experts say technology carries some of the blame.

More often than not, a carjacker’s golden ticket, at a motorist’s demise, is keyless entry

technology.

“In the vast majority of vehicle theft cases, the stolen vehicles are equipped with push-button

start systems,” notes East. “What’s more, these are luxury vehicles, valued at $50,000 or more.”

In 2023, the vehicles most susceptible to theft in Gatineau were the following: Toyota RAV4, the

Highlander, Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator and the Honda CR-V. Each of these models is equipped

with innovative technology ranging from multimedia CarPlay to power heated mirrors and

windows.

Automotive engineers’ objective is to enhance the driving experience, but what happens when

those bells and whistles make drivers a target?

For Ottawa business owner Andre Derouchie, the solution is clear: engine immobilizers. Family-

owned and operated since 1984, Derand Motorsports specializes in an array of automotive

services ranging from car audio, alarm systems and security devices for cars.

Derouchie, who has seen the demand for their anti-theft technology double over the past year,

says thieves’ biggest targets are Toyotas, Lexus, Dodge, Jeep, and GMC. Although these cars

aren’t all equipped with state-of-the-art technology, they all have one thing in common. “If you have an all-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.”

To address this issue, insurance companies suggest drivers invest in AirTag tracking devices or

steering wheel lock bars. But, Derouchie believes these tactics may be outdated.

“To me, it’s not really a big deterrent,” he says. “Tracking devices are okay, but when they steal a

vehicle at two o’clock in the morning and you wake up at eight, they’ve had a bunch of hours to

get a head start on you.” The same can be said about steering wheel lock bars. “They may look at

it, but they come with special saws. They can cut through the steering wheel lock bar in about 30

seconds.”

When drivers come to him with these concerns, Derouchie always suggests his two bestsellers:

the IGLA and Viper standalone engine mobilizers which are compatible with any vehicle that

isn’t hybrid.


The IGLA starts at $899 and includes an engine immobilizer, two IGLA remotes with advanced

coding and a sequence code as backup.

The Viper starts at $1,199. “The Viper is the one I try to push people to go to because it has an

engine mobilizer like the IGLA, but it also has an alarm system. So, as soon as they touch the

door, break a window, open the hood or the tailgate, the alarm is going to start screaming and the

headlights and taillights will start flashing,” he explains. “It will also send a signal to your phone

and to a remote control that you could leave by your bedside, which will start beeping and

flashing.”

The tools available on the market have aided in the prevention of vehicle theft according to the

Gatineau Police. In 2022, the total number of charges laid with the DPCP was 48. Last year, it

decreased to 36. However, carjackers usually don’t act alone.

“It’s important to note that it’s possible for more than one person to be charged in the same case,”

clarifies East. “So, even if we’re talking about 36 files with charges laid in 2023, there weren’t

necessarily just 36 arrests or 36 charges.”

The Gatineau Police, who have launched a special operation to target these crimes, urge residents

to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. Adopting

preventative habits such as parking in a well-lit area under video surveillance can also deter

criminals or, at the very least, provide important investigative evidence in the event of theft.

“We would like to reassure the public that our police officers are well aware of the phenomenon

and pay particular attention to it,” said East. “As this is an interprovincial [issue], the GCPS

works closely with other police forces.”

With edits and notes from Lily Ryan and Mary Baskin.