York Regional Police is proud to announce the results of Operation Auto Guard 3.0, a campaign aimed at combatting auto theft in the south end of York Region.
The operation, along with other initiatives designed to stop auto theft in York Region have had a significant impact. As of November 31, there have been 1,635 vehicles reported stolen in York Region, a drop from 2,363 recorded during the same period of 2024. This marks a 35 per cent drop year over year.
Building on the success of the first two Operation Auto Guard campaigns, York Regional Police employed a multi-pronged approach which included enforcement, community engagement and crime prevention strategies.
Through data analysis, investigators identified hot-spot areas for vehicle thefts. Officers then focused their enforcement and crime prevention efforts in these areas.
Thousands of information cards were handed out to citizens, empowering them with the ‘six steps’ to protect their vehicle from auto thieves. The cards were translated into multiple languages, in an effort to better serve our diverse community.
Through the tireless work of our dedicated Operation Auto Guard team, with the assistance of the Criminal Investigations and the Air Support units, a total of 73 stolen vehicles were recovered. The estimated value of the vehicles seized is $5 million.
Forty-eight people, including one youth, have been arrested, and 242 charges have been laid.
Several of the adult suspects were found to be breaching probation or some form of release order at the time of their arrest.
The successful completion of Operation Auto Guard 3.0 was made possible through our partnership with Équité Association, and through funding provided by the Ontario Government’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, in which the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario supported this ongoing criminal investigation.
York Regional Police will continue to work with our policing partners to combat auto theft.
For more information visit yrp.ca/AutoGuard or contact the Media Relations Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext., 2664 or mediarelations@yrp.ca/
Prepared by: James Dickson
December 12, 2025
