Hamilton, Ontario – Hamilton Police Service’s Project Grizzly has laid over 200 charges and located 19 stolen vehicles in their investigation into an organized car theft ring.
Twenty-Eight people in total have been charged after HPS’ month-long investigation. The investigation itself was conducted in conjunction with Niagara police services and Equite Association (Former Insurance Bureau of Canada).
The 19 stolen vehicles totalled nearly $600,000 in value. The 28 arrests included 222 charges in total. Two loaded firearms and a large amount of illegal drugs were also found.
Those charged were not named.
Auto theft costs Canadians nearly $1 billion yearly, with $550 million in insurance repair/replacement. The remainder of the costs are related to institutional services such as policing, facilities, and health-care, as well as, loss of money through the theft of vehicles themselves.
The investigation is ongoing. Any tips can be directed to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
or the Hamilton Police Service Det. Sean Woodard at 905-546-3820.
