Over 2,100 vehicles stolen in Mississauga and Brampton in first half of 2026

More than 2,100 vehicles were stolen in Mississauga and Brampton during the first six months of 2026, highlighting the ongoing impact of auto theft across Peel Region despite a year-over-year decline and continued enforcement efforts.

Peel Regional Police recorded 2,119 stolen vehicles between Jan. 1 and June 27, 2026, with 1,169 thefts in Mississauga and 950 in Brampton. The total is down from 2,351 vehicles stolen during the same period in 2025, a decrease of roughly 10 per cent.

Police say 1,659 cases remain under active investigation, while 395 are still unsolved. So far this year, 65 cases have been cleared.

Authorities emphasize that no community is immune to auto theft in Peel Region, where organized crime groups continue to target vehicles for resale and international trafficking.

“Violent, armed carjackings and auto theft do more than steal property — they disrupt lives and take away a person’s sense of safety,” Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has said, noting ongoing efforts to dismantle organized networks.

Several major 2026 investigations highlight the scale and sophistication of auto theft operations in the region.

In March, Peel’s Central Robbery Bureau launched Project Stratis, recovering eight stolen high-end vehicles valued at about $800,000 before they could be resold or shipped overseas. Police allege the vehicles were being re-VINned and exported, including shipments destined for Ghana. Six people were arrested and 30 charges laid, with two suspects intercepted at Toronto Pearson International Airport as they attempted to leave the country.

In another case, Peel’s 11 Division Break and Enter Auto Response Unit recovered 13 stolen vehicles worth more than $800,000 in Mississauga following an investigation into an organized crime group. Two brothers from Mississauga were arrested and face a combined 55 charges.

Police say these cases reflect a broader trend of organized networks stealing vehicles across the GTA, altering identification numbers, and moving them through chop shops or overseas shipping channels.

Other investigations tied to Peel have also seen stolen vehicles recovered across Ontario and overseas, including large-scale recoveries involving multiple agencies and international ports.

Authorities say vehicles stolen locally are increasingly used as part of global trafficking operations, often shipped to markets in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

Peel Regional Police say they continue to prioritize auto theft through specialized units, including the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau, Break and Enter and Auto Response (BEAR) Unit, and Central Robbery Bureau.

So far in 2026, police say more than $10 million worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered.

Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said organized crime groups remain the focus of ongoing enforcement.

“Organized crime groups that target our communities for profit will be identified, disrupted, and dismantled,” he said.

Police are urging residents to take precautions, including parking in well-lit areas, locking vehicles, removing valuables from sight, and using deterrents such as steering wheel locks or GPS tracking devices.

Anyone with information about auto theft in Peel Region is asked to contact police or submit an anonymous tip through Peel Crime Stoppers.