Vehicles new and old subject to auto theft in Alberta as methods become more sophisticated [Video]

Police in Alberta say auto thefts are becoming more sophisticated and owners should be more vigilant in preventing their vehicles from disappearing off the streets.

Alberta has become a hot spot in recent years for vehicle thefts with the highest per capita rate in Canada, based on a new report by the Équité Association, an insurance crime watchdog.

It’s an issue that has long plagued eastern Canadian provinces but has only recently reached Alberta as criminals seek new opportunities to steal high-value cars.

“We are seeing offenders coming from out east and targeting vehicles here,” said Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Ian Strom.

Canadian vehicle thefts are declining after peaking in 2022 and 2023, but Alberta’s theft rate hasn’t dropped as dramatically as other provinces.

For 2024, auto thefts in the Prairie province declined about 10 per cent, eight percentage points lower than the average drop nationally.

In Quebec, auto thefts declined 32.4 per cent last year.

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