530 cars stolen over last 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton

Although Peel Regional Police have seen a slight dwindle in vehicle thefts, crimes of this nature continue to be problematic in the Mississauga and Brampton neighbourhoods with over 500 incidents this past month.

The area has seen an average of 18 or more motor thefts per day in the last 31 days.

From Apr. 19 to May. 20, Peel police data indicates that there were a combined 530 vehicle thefts reported across both cities — 284 in Mississauga and 246 in Brampton.

As of today (May. 20) a meager 11 of these incidents are considered solved, while 501 are still being investigated and 18 are deemed unsolved.

Of these stolen vehicles 422 were automobiles (cars), while 92 were trucks, 14 were motorcycles and 2 were simply listed as “others.”

The following map shows where this past month’s incidents took place:

According to Peel Regional Police data the top 3 common hotspots for this kind of theft is:

• Derry Rd
• Queen St
• Kennedy Rd

Compared to the same time last year ( Apr. 19 – May. 20, 2022) the vehicle theft count was sitting at a low number 0f 18 incidents for Mississauga and Brampton—which means that the astonishing rise in carjacking’s could pose a fear among residents.

A notable stolen vehicle case from this month involved a man from Mississauga and two other suspects who were arrested after a stolen Lexus was tracked down by a police helicopter.

Inside the stolen car was a 16-year-old boy of no-fixed address, armed with a pistol. He was charged with 15 criminal offenses including; dangerous driving, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a car, and failure to comply with release orders.

Car thefts will never fully be eliminated, but there are preventative measures residents can take to ensure their property is not targeted.

The PRP have provided these helpful tips:

• if possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as the majority of the vehicles have been stolen from driveways
• use a steering wheel lock. It will also act as a visible deterrent
• install a lock on the data port. This simple device can be purchased online and blocks access to the computer port where the thieves gain access to reprogram the vehicle’s keys
• consider purchasing a quality video surveillance system. Ensure cameras are properly placed and functioning for day and night use. Familiarize yourself with the system so it can be reviewed and accessed immediately.