On Sunday, the owner returned to his SUV to discover men trying to steal it, said Ottawa police, who are continuing to investigate the incident.
Days after city police warned motorists of a spike in daytime vehicle thefts, the owner of a Lexus sport utility vehicle reportedly suffered minor injuries after running into would-be thieves in the parking lot of a west-end shopping mall.
On Sunday, the owner returned to his SUV to discover men trying to steal it, said Ottawa police, who are continuing to investigate the incident.
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“The suspects fled the area, and the owner sustained minor injuries after confronting the men,” police said.
“Please be vigilant.”
On Friday, Ottawa police warned that “brazen” thieves were behind a trend of vehicle thefts from the parking lots of grocery stores, recreation and sporting venues and malls during daylight hours. Typically, most vehicles are stolen from driveways in the overnight hours. Police believe the majority are taken to Montreal for export.
Thieves’ top picks include newer-model vehicles made by Honda, especially the CR-V, Acura, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Lexus RX and Ford F-Series, although any model with a push-to-start ignition is being targeted, police warned.
On Friday, Staff Sgt. Cathy Brown, head of the Ottawa Police Service’s intelligence unit, warned people — for their own safety — not to engage with anyone they think is in the process of stealing a vehicle.
“If you see something suspicious, don’t wait to report it, call 911 immediately and/or report it to the store security,” she said.
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Ottawa police warns of spike in 'brazen' daytime vehicle thefts
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