A police patrol car was taken from downtown Montreal on the evening of June 18, 2026, and was intercepted by authorities about 40 kilometres away in Verchères, resulting in the arrest of a 28‑year‑old male suspect. The vehicle disappearance and subsequent recovery occurred within roughly a half‑hour, according to officials from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
SPVM officers responded quickly after the cruiser was reported missing, initiating a search that led them to the town of Verchères, located along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River. The suspect was stopped as the stolen vehicle entered the area, and he was taken into custody without further incident. Police indicated that the individual is believed to have been intoxicated at the time he took the cruiser, a factor that contributed to the swift intervention.
The incident marks a rare case of a police vehicle being stolen in the province of Quebec. While the SPVM has not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the theft, the rapid recovery demonstrates the department’s capacity to track and retrieve assets across municipal boundaries. The suspect’s age, 28, was confirmed during the arrest, and he now faces charges related to the theft of police property and any associated offenses.
The event underscores the importance of coordinated law‑enforcement efforts between Montreal and surrounding jurisdictions. By the time the vehicle was recovered, only about 30 minutes had passed since the theft, limiting any potential misuse of the patrol car. No injuries were reported, and the stolen cruiser was returned to the SPVM for inspection and return to service. The department has not indicated whether any additional security measures will be implemented following the episode.