Ottawa police struggling to stop surging car thefts

Of the 1,854 vehicles lost in 2023, Sgt. Catherine Brown said about half were recovered, which was substantial.

Ottawa police say they've have had their hands full trying to stop a surge in vehicle thefts that shows no sign of slowing down, with the equivalent of five vehicles going missing every day last year.

Of the 1,854 vehicles lost in 2023, Sgt. Catherine Brown said about half were recovered, which was substantial.

Ottawa police Chief Eric Stubbs suggested proactive patrols, daylight car chases and multitude of arrests have not been enough to stem a steady wave of thefts that seems yet to crest.

"We are finding they are younger people [being apprehended]: they're age 16, 17 to maybe 21, 22. They are not the heads of this organized crime. They are just being paid to do a job: come in and steal. So it's not stopping it," he explained to reporters ahead of Monday's Ottawa Police Services Board meeting.