When a Toronto man’s SUV disappeared from his driveway, the last thing he expected was to track its journey across continents, all the way to a used car lot in the United Arab Emirates. But that’s precisely what happened when his 2022 GMC Yukon XL went missing last August — the second such theft from his home that year. His resourceful use of Apple AirTags has shed light on the global shipping routes car thieves exploit and the challenges victims face in retrieving their stolen property.
Andrew, whose last name has been concealed for his family’s safety, had hidden two AirTags inside his SUV after the first theft. When the vehicle vanished for the second time, he was able to follow its movements to a nearby rail yard and then to the Port of Montreal. Despite his efforts, which included alerting the police and hiring a private investigator, the SUV embarked on a long journey.
The ordeal started when Andrew and his wife noticed unusual signs in their SUV upon returning from vacation. The steering wheel was bent, and the driver’s seat was adjusted differently. Following their dinner, the vehicle was missing. Andrew watched through his smartphone as his AirTags pinged various locations across the Greater Toronto Area. The tracker later placed the SUV at the Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway’s (CPKC) terminal in Vaughan.
A York Regional Police officer, who responded to Andrew’s call, texted him pictures of shipping containers at the rail yard, saying, “It’s definitely in one of those containers.” Yet, the officer claimed to lack the authority to open the containers and directed Andrew to the railway’s private police, who did not respond before the train departed.
The AirTag next pinged from the Port of Montreal went offline for nearly a month and then resurfaced at a European port in Antwerp, Belgium. Finally, on September 26, the tracker placed the SUV at a port near Dubai. A private investigator located the vehicle in the U.A.E. The VIN, still visible through the windshield, matched that of Andrew’s stolen Yukon.
Although Andrew’s father, a retired lawyer, and he contacted both Emirati police and Interpol, their SUV remained in the Middle Eastern lot, according to the AirTags’ location data. This case highlights not just the effectiveness of such tracking technology but also the international challenge posed by auto theft networks. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported a 34% increase in intercepted stolen vehicles in 2023, reflecting the growing scale of the issue.
The senior Ontario Provincial Police detective stressed that it is “unusual” for law enforcement not to recover a stolen vehicle when its location is known.
“If we know it’s at a container lot or a container yard or the ports in Montreal, we’ll make every effort to obtain it and get it back,” said Det. Insp. Scott Wade, deputy director of the province’s Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team. Victims of auto theft are advised against trying to reclaim vehicles without police assistance.
Relevant articles:
– SUV stolen from Toronto driveway shows up 50 days later — AirTags tracked vehicle from Canada to Middle East, offering glimpse into shipping routes used by car thieves
– Vehicles reported stolen found on Hwy. 401 near Pearson Airport in Mississauga, insauga.com, Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT
– Car thieves are using Apple AirTags to target vehicles. Here’s how you can protect yourself, Toronto Star, Tue, 14 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT
– UPDATE: Here’s what to do if you find an AirTag placed in your vehicle by a car thief, National Post, Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:00:00 GMT