Bust Near the Border: ‘Sophisticated’ auto theft crime group dismantled in Windsor, OPP says
Windsor, Ontario — Canada’s automotive capital just went through what the OPP are calling a major cleanup of a “sophisticated crime group” allegedly responsible for stealing, re-VINing and exporting vehicles to at least five different countries. Thus far, 23 people have racked up a cumulative total of 279 charges as part of “Project Fairfield”, initiated […]
Under the Wire: York police seize 161 stolen vehicles set for international shipments
Toronto, Ontario — York Regional Police announced Friday that its Auto Cargo Theft Unit seized 161 vehicles, valued at more than $10 million, following a months-long investigation in Toronto’s north end. The police press release did not identify the location or locations these allegedly stolen vehicles were seized from; however, a video published alongside the […]
Auto Theft Allowance: Ontario gov. announces $51 million investment to equip police against auto theft
Toronto, Ontario — The Ontario government announced its plan to finally crack down on auto theft in the province on Wednesday, opting to fight the issue the only way it knows how—handing out a bunch of money and hoping for the best. “With vehicle thefts and carjackings on the rise, our government is taking bold […]
Chop Stop: More than $350,000 in stolen vehicles seized from Vaughan auto shop
Vaughan, Ontario — Yet another chop shop operation has been shut down in the GTA this week, as York Regional Police (YRP) shed light on an investigation into an auto repair shop in Vaughan that was allegedly re-VINing and selling stolen vehicles. The YRP’s Auto/Cargo Theft Unit has charged four people in connection with the […]
Expensive Toys: 33 arrested in Project Hot Wheels auto theft investigation in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario — A joint auto theft investigation between the Hamilton, Halton and Niagara police services has led to the arrest of 33 people alleged to be connected to the rising rate of theft in the area. Project Hot Wheels was launched in late January to combat a 46 percent increase in vehicle theft reported […]
Pilfered Pick-ups: Windsor auto theft rises 25 percent in 2021
Windsor, Ontario – Data from the Windsor Police Service says that auto theft in the region rose considerably in 2021, with police reporting 846 motor vehicle thefts and attempts, compared to 676 in 2020, marking an increase of 25.1 percent. The most common methods of theft include breaking and entering into businesses or homes for […]
Grand Theft Toronto: Toronto Police called on to rebuild auto theft unit
Toronto, Ontario — City council is calling on the Toronto Police Services Board to form a unit aimed at addressing the rising tide of auto theft that Toronto has been in the midst of for the past several years. On Friday, council voted to put the issue before the police board, specifically requesting it to […]
Chop Blocked: Alta. RCMP recover $550,000 in stolen vehicles from alleged Chestermere chop shop
Chestermere, Alberta — RCMP in southern Alberta located $550,000 to $600,000 in stolen vehicles following the bust of an alleged chop shop near the city of Chestermere. The Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU), a regional wing of the RCMP, received a tip from the Calgary Police Service of the possible location of a stolen […]
Consult the Sticker: Thieves ‘re-vinning’ vehicles on the rise, insurers say
Toronto, Ontario — Buyer beware; reports have begun circulating that vehicle thieves have been “re-vinning” stolen vehicles in order to sell to unsuspecting customers. According to a report from Canadian Underwriter, insurers have taken note of a new trend prevailing among car thieves looking to turn a profit. Re-vinning involves removing the VIN (vehicle identification […]
Safe and Found: Two high-end cars stolen from Nova Scotia business found in Dartmouth
Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia — Two high-end vehicles that were stolen from a business in Eastern Passage, N.S., have been found. The vehicles were stolen earlier this week, but luckily the vehicles were located in Dartmouth on Wednesday and have been seized by police. The thefts occurred at a business on Main Road in Eastern […]
