Auto theft has become a persistent issue in Mississauga and Brampton, with more than 500 incidents reported in the past month. According to data from Peel police, between April 18 and May 18, a total of 543 vehicle thefts were recorded across both cities—274 in Mississauga and 269 in Brampton. This averages out to roughly 17 thefts per day in the region.

As of today (May 18), only four stolen vehicle cases have been resolved, while 511 are still under investigation, and 27 remain unsolved. Of the stolen vehicles, 374 were cars, 157 were trucks, nine were motorcycles, and three were categorized as “other.”

The data also reveals hotspots for auto theft, with notable areas including Airport Road, City Centre Drive, Courtneypark Drive, Dixie Road, Great Lakes Drive, Terminal Three Road, and Viscount Road.

Comparatively, during the same period last year (April 5 to May 6), 628 vehicles were stolen, contributing to a total of 7,637 stolen vehicles by the end of 2023. However, there was a slight decrease in March 2024, with 506 incidents, followed by 497 cases in April, marking a 1.78% decrease from March but still higher than previous years. Unfortunately, this month has seen a 9.3% increase in auto thefts.

Despite efforts by Peel Regional Police, auto thefts remain a significant issue, prompting residents to take precautionary measures. Recent incidents, such as the arrest of six teens, including two girls from Brampton and Mississauga, in a stolen car containing a firearm, highlight the severity of the problem.

Peel police have provided recommendations to help residents prevent auto theft, including parking vehicles in locked garages whenever possible, using steering wheel locks as a visible deterrent, installing locks on data ports to prevent reprogramming of vehicle keys, and investing in quality video surveillance systems for added security.