Four Service Ontario employees nabbed in national vehicle theft ring

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4 workers with Service Ontario are amongst 28 individuals arrested and charged with serving to three organized crime teams perform the illegitimate registration of stolen autos.

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OPP introduced on Thursday the seizure of 214 stolen autos value about $12 million as a part of a GTA and inter-provincial operation referred to as ‘Challenge Myra’.

“4 Service Ontario workers are accused of helping these legal organizations with fraudulently registering stolen autos in Ontario,” stated OPP Det. Inspector Andy Bradford.

“Service Ontario workers have been very important to those offenses being dedicated by these three legal organizations.”

The 22-month investigation concerned police companies from throughout the GTA – but in addition police in Saskatoon.

“Challenge Myra has uncovered a number of auto theft networks answerable for fraudulently modifying stolen automobile identification numbers (VINs),” stated OPP Deputy Commissioner Chuck Cox.

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A lot of the autos have been destined for resale or use in legal exercise, police say.

Police allege a legal group primarily based in Peel was answerable for altering VIN numbers – or ‘re-vinning’ – autos stolen from Ontario, fraudulently registering the autos, after which reselling them.

A gaggle in Durham and Toronto fraudulently registered stolen autos in Saskatchewan, transferred the fraudulent documentation for registration in Ontario, and resold to varied people, together with legal networks.

One other group in York Area was allegedly answerable for re-vinning high-end autos.

Investigators stated they recovered a Lamborghini Urus value about $200,000, and an Acura NSX value about $150,000.

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Amongst recovered autos, 37% have been Honda or Acura.

“The stolen autos recovered included a mixture of people who have been absolutely conscious they’d these stolen, re-vinned autos. Nevertheless it additionally included individuals who have been unknowingly possessing them,” stated Det. Insp. Bradford.

“Be extraordinarily cautious when buying a used automobile. If any a part of the transaction or something main as much as the transaction appears suspicious, don’t present funds,” added Deputy Commissioner Cox.

Peel Police helped with the investigation which began within the fall of 2020 – and continues.

“We’re seeing a whole bunch of autos being stolen on a month-to-month foundation,” stated Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich on the joint information convention.

The 28 individuals arrested in Challenge Myra have been charged with 242 offences.

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“We’ve seen a big enhance in automobile thefts. And car-jackings have additionally elevated to feed the demand for high-end autos,” stated York Regional Police Deputy Chief Brian Bigras.

Together with the arrests, throughout 44 search warrants police seized:

Six firearms.

230 grams of suspected fentanyl.

1,840 grams of suspected cocaine.

77 kilograms of hashish.

150 grams of suspected hashish resin.

10 grams of suspected psilocybin.

$8,400 US foreign money.

$160,000 CAD foreign money.

Two cash counters.

And two laser marking machines.

The police investigation continues.

slaurie@postmedia.com
Twitter: @_ScottLaurie