One Brampton woman said her car was stolen after she dropped it off after hours at a mechanic’s shop for service. She later found out about similar recent thefts in the area.

She said police told her lock boxes and other methods of after-hours vehicle drop-offs, including at car rental companies, are vulnerable to theft, but she didn’t know it until it happened to her.

Peel police say car thieves are driven by one of two motivations – short-term transportation or for profit.

The majority of short-term thefts are classified by police as “joyrides,” but many will be used by crooks while committing other crimes.

“Thefts used for “joyrides” are the easiest to prevent and simply involve making it difficult for a person walking by,” according to a fact sheet published by Peel police.

Thieves looking to make money by stealing cars target late-model SUVs and luxury cars less than five years old.

These vehicles are sold locally, shipped out of the country, or wind up in chop shops. Police say these thieves are organized and work in groups, and often change the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Now for the good news. Police say drivers can do a lot to protect their vehicles. Here are some tips:

• Always lock your vehicle and close windows tight.

• When parking, turn wheels and set parking brake to make towing of your vehicle more difficult.

• Use an anti-theft device – steering wheel lock, automatic engine shutoff, tracking device or permanent etching of identification information on your window.

• Don’t leave an unattended vehicle running.

• Don’t leave keys in the ignition or a spare key in your vehicle.

• Don’t leave original ownership slip in your vehicle.

• Keep vehicle keys out of sight and away from the front entrance of your home.

• Park in your garage and lock the garage door.

• If you can’t park in the garage, park as close to the house as possible, where you can see your vehicle and install a motion-activated light directed at the driveway.

• Park inexpensive, older vehicles behind newer ones.