Vehicle Thefts Surpass 1,000 in Mississauga and Brampton Since January

Vehicle thefts have surged past the 1,000 mark in Mississauga and Brampton, with a total of 1,248 incidents reported to police since the start of the year.

The new year began with 12 reported vehicle thefts on January 1 alone—an early indication of the growing trend.

According to Peel Regional Police, 439 vehicles were stolen between January 1 and 31 across the two cities. The number dipped by about 25% in February, with 328 cases, then rose slightly in March to 338.

However, the decline may be short-lived. Within just the first 12 days of April, 103 vehicle thefts have already been reported—suggesting that the monthly total may rise further as the month progresses.

From January 1 to April 12, police data shows 1,248 thefts in total: 697 in Mississauga, 549 in Brampton, and one each in Toronto and Vaughan (under Peel police jurisdiction). On average, that’s more than 12 vehicles stolen each day in the region.

As of Saturday, 40 stolen vehicle cases had been resolved. Another 916 remain under investigation, while 292 have been classified as unsolved. Among the stolen vehicles: 982 were cars, 228 were trucks, 16 were motorcycles, and 22 were categorized as “other.”

Peel police have also identified five major hotspots for car thefts this month:

Airport Road: 50 incidents

City Centre Drive: 39 incidents

Courtneypark Drive: 25 incidents

Dixie Road: 40 incidents

Great Lakes Drive: 44 incidents

Patterns suggest that certain neighborhoods are more vulnerable to thefts, prompting local authorities to advise residents to take extra precautions.

Peel police recommend the following steps to help protect your vehicle:

Park in a locked garage when possible, as many thefts occur from driveways.

Use a steering wheel lock as both a physical and visible deterrent.

Install a lock on the vehicle’s data port to prevent thieves from accessing and reprogramming keys.

Invest in a quality video surveillance system. Ensure it’s positioned correctly, works well both day and night, and that you’re familiar with how to access and review footage promptly.