A member of the Calgary Police Service thinks organized crime might be behind recent auto theft trends in Alberta. (Photo: Oasisamuel | Dreamstime.com)

By Canadian Press

Alberta car theft trends suggest organized crime, say police

Feb 14, 2025 | 11:39 AM

Police in Alberta say car theft trends show sophisticated organized crime operations have moved from east to west in recent years.

Équité (ek-wit-AY’) Association says Alberta has the highest per capita vehicle theft rate, but police are recovering fewer stolen cars.

Police say it’s a hallmark sign that organized crime is behind an increasing number of stolen cars.

Calgary police often returned at least 90 per cent of stolen cars to their owners in the years before 2023.

Sergeant Matt Hill with the Calgary Police Service says vehicle recovery rates have since dropped to between seventy-five and eighty per cent.

It’s an issue that has plagued Ontario and Quebec in recent years, where vehicles are recovered at a rate of fifty per cent or worse.

However, cars left running unattended still remains the leading cause of car theft.

Owners can receive incentives from certain insurance companies for installing anti-theft devices.

READ MORE: As number of auto thefts drops nationally, Alberta logs highest per-capita theft rate