Mississauga and Brampton have been rocked by a wave of break-ins, with 186 incidents reported over the past 31 days, according to Peel Regional Police.
Spanning February 6 to March 8, the crime spree saw Mississauga bear the brunt with 113 cases, while Brampton recorded 73. That’s a 12% spike from the 166 break-ins logged over the same period last month, signaling a troubling uptick in property crime across the two cities.
A map pinpointing the incidents reveals a scattered but persistent threat. Homes topped the target list with 81 hit, followed by 19 stores, 17 restaurants, six apartments, three gas stations, two offices, two residential garages or sheds, one school, one pharmacy, and three construction sites. Eight cases fell under “other,” while 43 involved “unidentified” businesses. Hotspots included Queen Street (11 incidents), Lakeshore Road (six), and Hurontario Street, Mississauga Road, and Steeles Avenue (three each).
As of today, 169 investigations remain active, 13 have been cracked, and four are cold cases. Peel Police highlight recent headlines: a Milton family threatened by home invaders, leading to charges against two Brampton suspects; a string of truck break-in attempts in Brampton tied to a stolen Toyota; and a Brampton man nabbed with $140,000 in drugs after home invasions.
Police note that burglars often prey on easy targets—corner lots, homes near parks or open spaces, and properties that look neglected. “These are crimes of opportunity,” Peel Police explain. “Thieves zero in on places where they’re less likely to get caught.”
To fight back, residents are urged to keep shrubs trimmed for visibility, lock all garage and screen doors (even when home), build neighborly watch networks, and add extra locks to windows and sliding doors. With the numbers climbing, vigilance might be the best defense.