Woman posing as buyer to steal Porsche ran over owner in his own driveway, police say

MISSISSAUGA, Canada (TMX) - Police in Canada released home surveillance video this week showing a woman who posed as a legitimate buyer steal a man's Porsche SUV and run him over with it in his own driveway.

Peel Regional Police are seeking the public's help identifying both the female suspect seen in the video and a suspected accomplice vehicle seen on the residential street in Mississauga, a city bordering Toronto in Ontario, during the theft at around 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.

The video shows a woman ringing a doorbell and inquiring about buying the 2022 Porsche Cayenne parked in the driveway in response to an Auto Trader advertisement. Another angle shows the suspect sitting in the driver's seat of the Porsche, as the owner tries to open multiple locked doors from the outside.

As the owner walks behind the SUV in his driveway, the suspect quickly reverses, striking and injuring the owner. The suspect then fled along with a suspected accomplice vehicle that was parked on the street.

The suspect is described as South Asian, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes. The accomplice vehicle appears to be a gray or silver SUV, while the suspect's "original vehicle" appears to be a blue SUV.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward or submit an anonymous tip.

At an Auto Theft Summit for law enforcement agencies earlier this year, Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the issue has "become an epidemic" across Ontario.

"Organized auto theft has become an epidemic across many jurisdictions in Ontario and it has escalated into a complex national issue, impacting the safety and well-being of our communities," Duraiappah said in a statement.

"Organized auto theft is among the top three revenue generators for criminal organizations," said Chief Jim MacSween, president, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. "It represents a growing and serious threat to public safety and puts police officers at risk as individuals committing these crimes are using increasingly dangerous ways to evade capture and eventual arrest. Our police services are working together with governments, community groups, and corporate partners to find effective solutions to this criminal al activity."