Where is the riskiest place to park your car?

Montreal police crime data show an overwhelming trend of cars stolen while they are in hotel parking lots near Trudeau airport. Cars parked in expansive lots such as in malls or public venues are also at risk.

The list of car thefts was compiled between Jan. 1, 2015 and Sept. 13, 2016.

Montreal police say the robberies are largely due to a ring run by organized crime targeting SUVs and high-end pickup trucks.

Here’s a look at the top 10 spots where cars were stolen in Montreal:

1. 2. And 3: Hotel parking along Cote-de-Liesse – 202 cars stolen

The top three intersections for car thefts are all within a one-kilometre stretch along Côte de Liesse Rd. between Cavendish Blvd. and Montée de Liesse, where there is a Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Travelodge. There were also 89 reported thefts of items found in or on vehicles in this sector.

Many people headed to Trudeau airport park their cars in these lots for extended periods.

4. Place Versailles – 44 cars stolen

Cars are stolen here not for a lack of police presence – the Montreal police homicide squad is located here.

However, this is close to Highway 25 and the Lafontaine tunnel.

5. Beaulac St. and Place Robert-Joncas – 28 cars stolen

This is also a spot near the airport popular with long-term parkers headed to the airport. Residence Inn Montreal and Courtyard Montreal Airport are located here.

6. Galeries d'Anjou – 19 cars stolen

7. Côte-de-Liesse and 52nd Ave. – 18 cars stolen

A Holiday Inn and some shops are in this location in front of the airport.

8. Carrefour Angrignon – 17 cars stolen

9. Olympic Stadium – 15 cars stolen

10. Norman St. and Claire Cres. – 13 cars stolen

This area is an industrial sector with many parking lots near shops and warehouses.

Statistics Canada reported in July the rate of car thefts decreased in Quebec by 14 per cent in 2015, continuing a 10-year-long downward trend.

Montreal police agreed with that assessment.

Miguel Alston of the Montreal police force said most car theft is done by organized crime.

"It will be for the pieces or if not they can be sold and sent outside of the country,' said Alston.

He said the vehicles most likely to be stolen are luxury SUVs and pickup trucks, also followed by Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas -- two of the most popular cars sold in Quebec.

So how to stop thieves?

Montreal police suggest a low-tech device: the club that locks a steering wheel.

"It will be more complicated for the suspect. They can be caught if it will take more minutes to make the theft, so it is a good way to prevent those thefts," said Alston. 

Mechanics recommend anti-theft devices including engine kill switches and GPS trackers.

"Once the car has been stolen, the tracking device will notify you and that point, you can start tracking your own car," said Mario Mastromonaco of M&M Auto-Tel.

But above all else, police recommend not leaving your car unattended for too long, and never, ever, leaving valuables inside.