170 charges laid in east-end organized vehicle theft ring targeting SUVs

Ottawa police have arrested nine residents—seven adults and two youths—and laid nearly 200 charges in a multi-month investigation into organized vehicle thefts across the city's east end.

Investigators focused on the theft of newer-model Toyota, Honda and Lexus SUVs from driveways and streets. The accused used tracking devices to identify and monitor targeted vehicles before stealing them. The investigation recovered at least 15 stolen vehicles and one motorcycle.

Charges include theft of motor vehicles, possession and trafficking of stolen property, conspiracy to commit indictable offences, criminal harassment, possession of electronic devices for vehicle theft, mischief, and firearms-related offences. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.

Sgt. Denis Hull of the Ottawa Police Service's east neighbourhood unit said: "Vehicle theft has a real impact on residents and their sense of safety in their neighbourhoods. These investigations send a clear message that we will continue to identify those involved and hold them accountable."

The investigation highlights a shift in theft tactics. Bryan Gast, vice president of investigative services at Équité Association, a not-for-profit working with police to reduce vehicle theft, explained: "The reality of modern auto theft is that locking your car door is no longer enough. Organized crime has traded crowbars for technology-based theft such as key fob relay attacks and reprogramming to easily bypass a vehicle's security system. We really have to move into the prevention piece, stopping the vehicle from being stolen in the first place, to really have a sustained decline of auto theft in Canada."

Ottawa ranked fourth on the Insurance Bureau of Canada's list of costliest cities for vehicle theft claims in 2025—up from sixth place in 2024. The city filed $19,840,978 in vehicle theft insurance claims in 2025, a 363 per cent increase from the previous year. Toronto, Brampton and Mississauga rank first, second and third respectively. The Honda CR-V tops Ontario's most-stolen vehicle list, followed by the Jeep Wrangler, Lexus RX Series, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander and Land Rover Range Rover.