391 vehicles stolen in the last 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton

Vehicle thefts continue to rise in Mississauga and Brampton, with nearly 400 cases reported to police over the past 31 days.

From June 26 to July 27, Peel Regional Police data indicates that a combined 391 vehicle thefts were reported across both cities — 184 in Mississauga, 206 in Brampton and one incident in Burlington that fell under Peel police jurisdiction.

As of Sunday, seven stolen vehicle cases had been successfully solved, 367 are still being investigated, and 16 were deemed unsolved. Of the stolen vehicles, 276 are cars, 25 are motorcycles, 83 are trucks and seven are listed as “others.”

The following map shows where these auto thefts took place:

The data also points to the most common hotspot in Peel Region this month, where more than 20 cars were reported stolen:

Great Lakes Drive —16 occurrences

Here are three notable auto theft stories from July:

• VIDEO: Violent home invasions, car thefts ‘terrify’ Mississauga, Brampton residents
• PARTIAL LOCKDOWNS: 2 schools on alert after carjacking in Mississauga
• Dinner hour carjacking in Mississauga puts police on the hunt for 2 culprits

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

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

• 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.