More than 300 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa during the first three-and-a-half months of the year. New statistics from the Ottawa Police Service show 302 vehicles have been reported stolen since Jan. 1, with 178 of the vehicles recovered. According to the Ottawa Police Service crime map, 32 vehicles have been reported stolen in the Rideau-Vanier ward so far this year, followed by 27 vehicle thefts in Alta Vista, 23 vehicles stolen in Knoxdale-Merivale and 20 vehicle thefts in both Gloucester-Southgate and Bay wards. In 2025, police received reports of 1,458 vehicles stolen. Police recovered a total of 979 of the vehicles last year. A total of 1,645 auto thefts were reported stolen in Ottawa in 2024. “Auto theft continues to be a concern in Ottawa, with SUVs still the most commonly stolen vehicle,” police said. Ottawa Police and Équité Association are teaming up to combat and prevent auto thefts across Ottawa. “Auto theft is a multifaceted issue funding organized crime,” Supt. Jaime Dunlop of the Ottawa Police Service’s Serious & Organized Crime. “We are closely monitoring trends here and in surrounding areas, and we believe that this support from Équité Association will not only help us in our investigations but will also help to enhance community safety.” Police say they will work with Équité to address auto theft investigations and recovery, and conduct awareness initiatives. “Through the use of advanced data and analytics, vehicle identification, and coordinated investigations, OPS, in partnership with Équité, will work to address auto theft investigations and recovery, and reach out to the community through awareness initiatives, reducing the chance of auto theft and the impact of this type of crime,” police said in a media release. “The aim is to significantly reduce auto theft and insurance fraud.” Équité is a national not-for-profit that supports Canadian property and casualty insurers to fight fraud.
