A round-up of crime across Peel Region shows that while some categories are down, a lot of crime is on the rise.
According to recently released statistics from Peel Police, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of bullets, break-ins and policing breakthroughs. Shootings are way up this year over last with 103 the first 6 months of the year compared to 53 during the same period last year.
Homicides are also up with 11 victims across 9 incidents compared with 7 at the same point last year. Four of the incidents happened in Mississauga and 5 were in Brampton. Six were considered first degree murder, 2 were second degree and 1 was manslaughter.
While home invasions and break and enters are down slightly this year, car break-ins are up. There were 2483 thefts from motor vehicles reported from January to June this year compared with 1593 for the same period last year.
Retail theft is also a problem in Peel Region. In 2025, 7500 retail thefts were reported. This follows a Canada-wide trend with Statistics Canada saying shoplifting across the country is on the rise.
In response to some high profile home invasions, break and enters and car thefts, Peel Police launched the BEAR unit last September as a pilot program. It was then expanded to cover retail theft as well. BEAR, which now stands for break and enter, auto, retail, had many successes this year.
In February, Peel Police’s 11 Division Criminal Investigation Unit in conjunction with the BEAR unit arrested 20 year old Basil Assad and charged him with multiple offences related to 48 vehicle break-ins in the areas of Kimbermount Avenue, Aquitaine Avenue and Regents Terrance.
In March Peel Police announced the arrest of 39 year old Mississauga man Kenneth Levy. He was believed to be responsible for 31 break and enters, including against a business in Mississauga where it’s alleged he stole 15 laptops.
Again in March and April, the BEAR unit contributed to Project NOMAD, which investigated a series of residential break and enters. The suspect would enter homes during the evening with the intent of stealing jewelry from bedrooms upstairs.
Gerard Barrett, 39 was arrested and charged with multiple offences related to break and enters. Police recovered approximately $31,000 in cash and $36,000 in jewelry.
In July the BEAR unit and organized crime unit helped to recover nearly $1 million worth of stolen property related to a break and enter at Square One mall.
Mississauga man Amir Nikbakht, 41, was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including breach of probation in relation to the thefts of jewellery and clothing from Square One.
At the time, police said that while the rate of retail theft has remained consistent over the past year, since the launch of the BEAR unit, arrests and charges increased more than 30%. As of early July, the BEAR unit made a total of 93 arrests and laid 577 criminal charges.
Police were also able to make some important breakthroughs in taking down an international extortion ring targeting South Asian businesses in Peel region. The Extortion Task Force began investigating in December 2025 and in May 2026 announced 17 arrests. None of the arrested individuals were Canadian citizens.
They were either in Canada illegally or held student or work permits and were part of an international criminal network known as “For Brothers.” The 17 men now face a total of 106 criminal charges related to 24 incidents, including shootings, arson, threats and intimidation.
IS MISSISSAUGA SAFE? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How is public safety in Mississauga? Do you feel safe? The statistics suggest that some crimes are worsening. But the mood of on the streets matters as much as the stats. Let us know your thoughts on crime and safety in Mississauga and we may print them in an upcoming issue. Email info@mpulse.ca
