Auto theft remains a persistent issue with hundreds of incidents reported, sparking local concerns.
In Mississauga and Brampton, vehicle thefts have continued to pose significant challenges, with nearly 500 incidents recorded over the past 31 days. According to Peel police, from March 27 to April 27, a total of 497 vehicles were reported stolen in the two cities, with 253 thefts in Mississauga and 244 in Brampton.
This surge in auto thefts averages to more than 16 vehicles stolen per day across both cities. Despite police efforts, only seven of these cases have been resolved so far, with 454 still under investigation and 36 considered unsolved. The thefts predominantly involved 312 cars, 136 trucks, five motorcycles, and one vehicle categorized as “other.”
The past month’s carjackings concentrated in several hotspots, with the highest number of thefts occurring at Great Lakes Drive (40 incidents), followed by Dixie Road (21), City Centre Drive (14), and Airport Road (12).
This troubling trend of high vehicle theft rates is not new; in 2023, the numbers fluctuated monthly between 800 and 500, culminating in a total of 7,637 reported incidents by year-end. The highest monthly figure in 2024 was recorded in January with 837 incidents, although there has been a noticeable decrease since, dropping to 506 in March and now 497 in April—a 1.78% reduction.
Local authorities and Peel Regional Police are urging residents to adopt preventive measures to safeguard their vehicles. Recommendations include parking in locked garages, using steering wheel locks, installing locks on data ports to prevent unauthorized key reprogramming, and setting up robust video surveillance systems.
Among the significant incidents this month was the arrest of three individuals from Mississauga, Oakville, and Oshawa, who faced 54 charges related to two armed and violent carjackings in Toronto, including one targeting a $400,000 Lamborghini.
As vehicle thefts persist, residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and implement suggested security measures to help mitigate this ongoing issue.