By Lawrence Belanger
Local Journalism Initiative
Sherbrooke police (SPS) have noted an increase in vehicle thefts during the month of December. There were nine vehicle thefts in the area, including four in the last week of the month.
Investigations are ongoing in all cases. Three 2022 Jeep Wranglers, four 2021-2022 Kia Sorentos, one 2020 Honda CR-V, and one 2022 Honda Pilot were stolen. According to a press release last week, the thefts occured primarily overnight, while the vehicles were parked at their owner’s home.
SPS offered advice for citizens to help prevent vehicle thefts. With commercially available technology, individuals can scan for RFID codes (the protocol that most key fobs use to unlock a car remotely). To prevent suspects from copying them with the help of these computer systems, SPS reminded citizens to keep vehicle keys away from their front entrances. A well-lit front yard will also deter potential vehicle thefts. As an additional option, it is possible to register in the SPS surveillance camera registry. According to SPS, only their officers have access to this registry.
Registration is on the city’s website at “Registre des caméras du SPS | Ville de Sherbrooke.” Once registered, Sherbrooke Police may contact you and ask you to check your cameras following an event in your neighbourhood.
