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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Organized Crime Section
Auto Theft Unit
In the fall of 2003, the AUTO THEFT UNIT was proud to announce the start of HEATT, or High Enforcement Auto Theft Team. This is a group made up of one Auto Theft HEATT Sergeant and 8 district Constables.
The team will target high theft areas and known theft for transportation vehicle thieves.
Car thieves should be aware: THE HEATT IS ON!
The Auto Theft Unit is made up of six detectives, one sergeant, a civilian clerk and a staff sergeant who oversees investigations.
Functions of the Auto Theft Unit:
- Investigate organized auto thefts
- Coordinate auto theft investigations in Calgary
- Offer advice, direction and investigative support to other officers
- Provide expert testimony in court
- Monitor auto theft trends
- Liaise with car dealerships and automotive wreckers
- Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) verification
- Increase public awareness through media and local lectures
- Provide crime prevention advice
Every day in Calgary about 13 vehicles are stolen. Across Canada, that number is about 450 a day. In 2003 the cost of stolen vehicles in Calgary to insurance companies totalled more than $12 million. Nationwide, it's a crime that costs $1 billion annually in insurance costs, policing and various other items including healthcare for injuries in collisions involving stolen vehicles.
Calgary has one of the highest recovery rates of stolen vehicles in Canada. Approximately 92 per cent of the nearly 4500 cars, trucks, vans & SUV's stolen each year are recovered.
The officers in the Auto Theft Unit also verify Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and renumber recovered stolen vehicles that have had VINs altered or removed.
Two basic types of auto theft
- Theft for profit claims approximately 8% of Calgary vehicles every year, which are seldom recovered. These cars end up in chop shops, are shipped out of country or have the VIN altered for later sale. These thieves tend to be highly organized, with connections throughout Canada, the United States and countries overseas.
- Theft for transportation accounts for about 92% of the vehicles stolen in Calgary each year. These vehicles are stolen to commit other crimes, to get from point A to point B, or strictly to damage. These thieves are not organized; they are usually youths who steal cars for use in other crimes.
The Auto Theft Unit also investigates thefts of:
- Motorcycles & ATVs
- Tractor-trailer units
- Heavy construction equipment
- Boats
- Holiday trailers
- Riding lawn mowers
For more information on the activities of the Auto Theft Unit and for tips to protect your vehicle from theft, visit the Crime Prevention section.
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