Car thieves targeted as cops from across North America gather in Mississauga

Law enforcement officials from across North America and other groups impacted by the rise in auto thefts are gathered in Mississauga this week to figure out ways to stop car crooks from getting away with the crime.

In the ongoing effort to battle a significant increase in car thefts in Mississauga and Brampton — and across Ontario and Canada — Peel Regional Police are hosting the 51st annual Vehicle Crimes Conference.

The four-day event, taking place at the Mississauga Convention Centre, began Monday and wraps up Thursday. It’s being staged by Peel cops in collaboration with the U.S.-based Northeast Regional Chapter of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

The police conference features numerous guest speakers, workshops and other components all geared toward fighting the growing crime of auto theft in Peel, the GTA and southern Ontario, and across North America, organizers said.

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has said on numerous occasions the past two years or so that car thefts are dramatically increasing, particularly in Mississauga and Brampton where the per capita rate is the highest in Canada.

“To say auto theft is an epidemic across Canada and Ontario would be an understatement,” Duraiappah has repeatedly said.

This week’s conference welcomed numerous participants, all with a common goal, police say.

“The conference will have a key focus on preventing auto theft, insurance fraud and (related) crimes,” Peel police said earlier. 

Auto thefts, in many cases targeting luxury vehicles right from homeowners’ driveways in Mississauga and Brampton, and across the GTA, have been on the dramatic rise in recent years.

In addition to luxury vehicles and SUVs, sports cars are among the favourite targets of car thieves. (Photo: Peel Regional Police)