80 stolen vehicles worth $5 million recovered in York Region

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A seven-week auto theft investigation by York Regional Police, dubbed Operation Auto Guard, resulted in the recovery of 80 vehicles worth more than $5 million.

The combined campaign of crime prevention efforts and enforcement in the southern end of York Region also saw 56 people charged with 284 offences and theft devices used by thieves seized.

“We recognize we need multiple strategies across all levels of government, law enforcement, community agencies and our citizens to end auto thefts,” said Chief Jim MacSween in a statement.

“Congratulations to the many officers and civilian police professionals who contributed to the success of Operation Auto Guard.”

Operation Auto Guard saw crime analysts create heat maps identifying specific neighbourhoods prone to vehicle thefts in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan and identify residences in these red zones with high-risk vehicles registered to their owners.

This in turn allowed police to approach homeowners directly, letting them know they were at risk of having their vehicles stolen, offering them safety tips and allowing them to take an active role in crime prevention.

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Cards with crime prevention tips in multiple languages were handed out and more than 24,000 Faraday bags, used to block the signal-duplicating devices that replicate key fobs, were given away.

Officers also distributed Faraday bags when conducting traffic stops and while attending various community forums and events.

During the operation, police attended more than 100 locations where citizens were educated on auto thefts and how to prevent them and protect themselves including at town hall community forums, religious institutions, malls, parking lots and car dealerships.

Auto theft has increased in York Region by more than 200% over the last five years and as of Dec. 4, 2023, 4,294 vehicles have been stolen in York Region, compared to 3,187 in 2022.

Thieves operate across the region, the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and Canada, in organized crime groups, stealing vehicles and then shipping them overseas.

The cost of these thefts is estimated to be more than $1 billion across the country.