The rise in vehicle thefts in Mississauga and Brampton continues unabated, with over 560 cars, trucks, and motorcycles reported stolen in the past month alone, heightening concerns among local residents and law enforcement.
Between July 31 and August 31, 2024, Peel Regional Police recorded 568 vehicle thefts in the two cities, with 275 incidents in Mississauga, 292 in Brampton, and one in Toronto that falls under Peel police jurisdiction. This equates to an alarming average of 18 thefts or more per day across the region.
To date, only 14 of these cases have been solved, while 546 remain under investigation and eight have been closed as unsolved. The majority of stolen vehicles include 397 cars, 148 trucks, 19 motorcycles, and four classified as “others.”
The following map details the locations of last month’s auto thefts:
Peel Regional Police have identified four key hotspots where ten or more vehicles were stolen during this period:
- Airport Road: 16 occurrences
- Dixie Road: 14 occurrences
- Dundas Street: 13 occurrences
- Great Lakes Drive: 30 occurrences
While vehicle thefts have decreased by approximately 20% compared to the same period last year, when 711 incidents were reported, the ongoing trend of hundreds of thefts each month continues to be a significant concern for community safety. In 2023, the year-end total for vehicle thefts in Mississauga and Brampton reached a staggering 7,637.
Residents in areas identified as hotspots are being urged to take additional precautions to safeguard their vehicles. The Peel police have provided the following tips to help prevent auto theft:
- Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as most vehicles are stolen from driveways.
- Use a steering wheel lock, which also serves as a visible deterrent.
- Install a lock on the vehicle’s data port to prevent thieves from accessing and reprogramming the keys.
- Consider investing in a high-quality video surveillance system, ensuring cameras are strategically placed and functional for both day and night use.
One notable incident from this past month involved a Mississauga man who allegedly carjacked a driver in Toronto by forcibly removing him from his vehicle before driving away.
The Peel Regional Police continue to investigate the ongoing trend of vehicle thefts and encourage residents to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their property.