The Edmonton Police Service have noticed an increase in vehicle thefts.
According to EPS, the number of auto thefts have climbed 26 per cent over the past three years.
In 2021, EPS dealt with 3,744 vehicle thefts, that number increased to 4,381 in 2022 and 4,714 in 2023. Last year, crews arrested 490 people, had 1,700 criminal charges and recovered more than $18 million in stolen vehicles and equipment.
Violence associated with auto theft in Edmonton is also increasing, police said, with 35 guns and more than $110,000 worth of illicit drugs recovered from stolen vehicles.
EPS said a major factor leading to increased theft is drivers leaving their vehicles running and unattended with the key in the ignition.
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