Canadian federal government cracks down on auto theft

Prime Minister Stephen Harper unveiled amendments to the Criminal Code intended to take “dead aim” at organized auto theft rings.

The new legislation will make it a crime to alter, destroy or remove a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

The definition of trafficking and stolen property will be expanded to include stolen cars and car parts. Under the new law, it will be a crime to knowingly sell, give, transfer, transport, send or deliver goods that have been acquired criminally or to possess such property for the purpose of trafficking, Harper said.

Not only will this help police crack down on chop shops, it will also increase protection for homeowners against break-ins because the law will address trafficking in all types of stolen property, not just vehicles and parts, he added.

“Organized crime treats auto theft as a business and a very lucrative one at that,” Harper said. “Roughly one in five cars stolen in Canada is linked to criminal gangs.”

Auto theft costs Canadians roughly Cdn$1 billion a year, in addition to the Cdn$600 million it costs insurers, Harper said.

In addition, Canada Border Services officers will be given the authority to examine and detain suspect goods at the border, including vehicles. The Canada Border Services Agency will also have the authority to search containers used for shipping stolen vehicles. •