The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is grappling with an alarming surge in auto thefts and violent carjackings, with police forces intensifying their efforts to combat what the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has labeled a “national crisis.” In 2023 alone, over 30,000 vehicles were stolen across Ontario, with high-end cars being shipped overseas or sold within Canada under new identities.
York Regional Police Detective Scott Cresswell, along with his team of officers, has been at the forefront of the battle, using surveillance and undercover operations to identify “cool off” sites where stolen cars are temporarily stashed to ensure they’re not being tracked. One recent operation took him through a busy commercial zone in Mississauga, where he identified a suspicious compound. “This is the spot,” he told his team, pointing out an isolated house he suspected as a haven for stolen vehicles.
A Rising Wave of Auto Theft
Ontario saw a significant surge in auto theft during the pandemic, with over 70,000 vehicles stolen across Canada in 2023. Interpol ranked Canada among the top 10 countries for vehicle theft. Stolen cars, particularly Toyotas, Hondas, and luxury brands like Lexus and Range Rover, are shipped primarily to countries in Africa and the Middle East. The high value of these cars, coupled with weak security measures, has created an environment ripe for theft.
While vehicle thefts have seen a modest decline of 17% in 2024, a more dangerous trend has emerged: violent carjackings. These incidents, in which armed thieves target drivers at intersections or parking lots, have more than doubled. In York Region alone, 64 carjackings were reported this year—an increase of 106% from the same period in 2023 and a 400% surge compared to 2019.
A Shift in Tactics: Carjackings on the Rise
York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween recently announced the formation of a dedicated task force to address the rising number of carjackings. Carjackings are not only more violent but more traumatic for victims. Unlike thefts from driveways, these involve direct confrontations, often with weapons. “When you’re the victim of physical violence, like a robbery at an intersection, it’s very, very different,” said former Toronto police officer Mark Mendelson.
This increase in brazen attacks has led to more advanced criminal tactics. Thieves are bypassing traditional car theft methods, following desired vehicles and targeting drivers at vulnerable moments—at red lights, stop signs, or parking lots. Mendelson attributes the shift to thieves’ realization that they can bypass modern security features by directly confronting drivers.
The Economic Impact on Drivers
The rise in auto theft is having a financial impact on car owners. Insurance premiums are climbing, with auto theft claims exceeding $1.5 billion in 2023—a 20% increase over the previous year. In Ontario, it’s estimated that auto theft adds around $130 to the average annual premium, and those driving cars on the high-theft list may face even higher insurance costs.
As a result, drivers are taking new precautions, investing in steering wheel locks, Faraday pouches to block key fob signals, and GPS tracking devices like Apple AirTags. Yet, these deterrents may not be enough to combat thieves who have refined their methods. “They could still break into the car and reprogram a key in 10 minutes,” said Cresswell. “Now they do it in one minute.”
A Collaborative Effort to Combat the Crisis
Addressing the growing crisis of car theft and carjackings requires a multi-faceted approach. Experts emphasize the need for collaboration between law enforcement agencies, government officials, the insurance industry, and automakers. In February, the federal government held an auto theft summit, encouraging closer cooperation among stakeholders to tackle the issue at both a local and international level.
Moving forward, experts believe a combination of better security technology, increased law enforcement resources, and more stringent regulations on exporting stolen vehicles will be necessary to stem the tide of theft and carjackings in the GTA.
As car theft continues to evolve with technological advances, police and policymakers face an ongoing challenge to outsmart increasingly sophisticated criminals. For now, the GTA remains on high alert, with authorities working tirelessly to safeguard its streets and driveways from this pervasive threat.