Airbags from 10 Honda Civics stolen in Guelph parking lots

While the owners slept, someone broke into 10 Honda Civics at two apartment building parking lots in Guelph and removed the airbags, causing an estimated $6,000 damage.

Officers were called to an apartment in the Willow Road and Edinburgh Road N. area around 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning for reports of a vehicle break-in.

Investigators found the driver's door handle had been drilled out and police say an unidentified tool was used to remove the airbag.

While they were there, officers received reports of five other Honda Civics in the same parking lot that were burglarized. Officers also responded to reports of four others that were broken into at an apartment building on Speedvale Avenue W.

All the vehicles had their airbags removed.

Scott Tracey, media relations co-ordinator with the Guelph Police Service, said it's possible the thieves are stealing the airbags in order to sell them on the black market for an estimated $1,000. He said the vehicles were all from the years 2016 to 2021.

"It seems that maybe some back order supply chain issues maybe have created a bit of a void," he said.

Tracey says airbag thefts are a trend in North America, but this is the first that he's aware of it happening in Guelph.

"The owners are really in a tough situation where they really do need to replace [the airbags] before they use their vehicles, but it can be quite expensive," he said.