Auto Theft Operations Have Suspects Spinning their Wheels
Robust crime prevention, street-level enforcement and successful investigations helped reduce auto theft in York Region in 2024
Auto Theft down by 31% across the Region in 2024
Team work, as they say, makes the dream work. And when local residents teamed up with police to put a stop to auto theft in 2024, it really worked.
Through proactive crime prevention efforts and targeted enforcement, the region saw reports of stolen vehicles plummet by 31 percent to just over 3,200 in 2024, down from more than 4,700 the previous year.
One of the big drivers of the downturn was Operation Auto Guard 2.0—a multi-pronged project that built upon the success of a similar initiative in 2023. During Auto Guard, crime analysts working in Richmond Hill, Markham and Vaughan scoured crime data and identified hot spots for vehicle theft.
There, officers were deployed to distribute 7,000 Faraday bags to drivers, as well as crime prevention tips in English, Farsi, Russian and both Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
A partnership with Équité Association, an organization working with insurers to prevent fraud and other crime, also led to the creation of a customized vehicle wrapped with crime prevention info, which police used to draw attention to the campaign.
Meanwhile, investigators in the #2, #4 and #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureaus took to the streets with data in hand to stop thieves in their tracks, making 17 arrests during October and November. Police on the ground often worked with their trusted partners in the Air Support Unit, high above in patrol helicopter Air2, coordinating arrests to keep everyone safe
Operation Auto Guard 2.0 By the Numbers
15
stolen vehicles recovered
$487,000
value
17
people arrested
127
charges laid
Auto/Cargo Theft Unit Continues to Lead the fight
The drop in vehicle thefts can also be attributed to the dedication of specialized investigators working in the Auto/Cargo Theft Unit (ACTU).
“When people have their car stolen, it is a serious violation of their sense of safety and security, and a disruption to their everyday life,” said Detective Sergeant Pat Smyth, who has led the unit since 2019.
In 2024, the unit led two important projects aimed at curbing stolen vehicles from residents’ driveways—Projects Boa and Viper.
Investigators began tracking thieves who were using advanced techniques to steal cars, including reprogramming ignition computers to create new keys. After they were taken, vehicles were shipped to buyers around the globe.
The two operations, which included support from Canada Border Services Agency and Équité Association, led to more than 200 charges laid and the recovery of nearly 150 vehicles.
Projects Boa and Viper By the Numbers
145
stolen vehicles recovered
227
charges laid
