Peel police host 2nd Auto Theft Summit to curb rising thefts

Peel Regional Police hosted a second Auto Theft Summit on Wednesday. Police services and auto industry heads are calling on Ottawa again to address auto crime and want to see a more detailed action plan including stiffer security at sea ports.

WATCH MORE: Auto Theft Summit 2024 to hold news conference at 2:30 p.m.

Neighbours living in a quiet area in Ancaster are throwing their hands up over break-ins following the latest home invasion and car theft this past Sunday.

In a video posted on a Facebook group page, overnight surveillance shows an unknown person with a flashlight. The person who posted the video says it was the same time and area of the auto theft.

Hamilton police say prior to the vehicle being stolen, they said the suspect(s) had broken into the home through a window and stole the keys.

Hamilton police tell CHCH News the “…unknown suspect(s) then found the keys for a red Dodge Charger Hellcat (valued approx.. $70,000). also stealing some cash and other smaller personal property…” and, “Police received several other calls for a suspicious person and other residential entries in the Ancaster area. Another in which, a Toyota Rav 4 was stolen.”

READ MORE: Auto theft summit set to begin in Ottawa on Thursday

Speakers from the automotive industry spoke at the summit in Mississauga.

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said, “we’re seeing these auto thefts being done by and shifting to home invasions, carjackings and the use of illegal firearms.”

Eight law enforcement agencies including Hamilton and Niagara say combined data shows a 116 per cent spike in stolen vehicles, worth more than a half of billion dollars in 2023 alone. Hamilton police say 2023 was a record for carjackings as well.

So far this year in Toronto authorities report violent incidents have more than doubled.

Summit officials made recommendations to curb theft which includes a role for automakers. Chief Nishan Duraiappah said, “to look at manufacturing, design, if it’s the auto insurance industry looking at incentives for after-market, there’s a bunch of layered solutions there and they are aware.”

Officials are also calling on Ottawa to develop a national action plan that prioritizes stolen vehicles, legislations against criminal networks and tightening up the port of Montreal which is a major hub for illegal exporting.

Halton police Chief Stephen Tanner said, “if you could plug that hole, 80 per cent of these vehicles, 80 per cent of the people victmized, that’s the number of vehicles we could prevent from being sold at profit by criminals, from leaving Montreal.”

Last month the federal government said it’s investing roughly $120 million in violent auto crime. Local law enforcement says the funding hasn’t been allocated yet.

Hamilton, Halton and Niagara police say they’ve yet to hear back from Ottawa in regards to funding. Brantford police say they applied for the national grant but were not awarded any money.

READ MORE: Feds grant Ontario $121M to combat gun, gang and auto crime