568 cars stolen over 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario

Vehicle thefts in Mississauga and Brampton continue to rise, with more than 560 cars, trucks and motorcycles reported stolen in the past month.

This trend, which has persisted since 2023, is a growing concern for local law enforcement and residents.

Peel Regional Police data indicates that from July 31 to Aug. 31, a combined 568 vehicle thefts were reported in the two cities — 275 in Mississauga, 292 in Brampton and one incident in Toronto that fell under Peel police jurisdiction.

That works out to an average of approximately 18 thefts or more per day in the region.

As of Saturday, 14 of the stolen vehicle cases have been solved, 546 are still being investigated and eight are deemed unsolved. Of the stolen vehicles, 397 are cars, 148 are trucks, 19 are motorcycles and four are listed as “others.”

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

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Peel Regional Police data also highlights four common hot spots where ten or more vehicles have been stolen:

• Airport Road—16 occurrences
• Dixie Road —14 occurrences
• Dundas Street —13 occurrences
• Great Lakes Drive —30 occurrences

Compared to the same time last year (July – August 2023), the number of vehicle thefts in Mississauga and Brampton stood significantly higher at 711 incidents. Those numbers continued to increase monthly, totalling a whopping 7,637 car thefts by the end of 2023.  

The good news is that car thefts are down by approximately 20 per cent this month compared to last year. However, despite the decrease, the continued monthly reports of vehicle thefts well into the hundreds could cause fear and safety concerns among residents.

Additionally, insights into the patterns of car thefts reveal that certain areas are more vulnerable than others, prompting residents in the area to take extra precautions.

A notable auto theft case in Mississauga this past month involved a Mississauga man who allegedly approached a driver in Toronto, demanded his keys and then forcibly removed him from the vehicle before driving away.

Peel police have shared helpful tips to prevent residents from falling victim to auto thefts:

• if possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage, as most 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.