Toronto police have arrested more than 50 people and laid more than 300 charges as part of an ongoing investigation aimed at dismantling auto theft rings across the GTA. Officials said that since July 2024, investigators working with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) uncovered a scheme involving registering phony Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) by employees of a ServiceOntario location. The employees are alleged to have knowingly used fake documents provided by the accused parties to make it look like the fake VINs were valid.
Real Ontario licence plates were then assigned to these VINs and those vehicles were then sold to unsuspecting buyers at a significant discount. Investigators say since the launch of Project Thoroughbred, more than 360 stolen luxury and non-luxury vehicles valued at more than $14 million have been recovered. The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of 59 people who are facing 302 charges, including numerous counts of using forged documents and possession of stolen property.
Investigators said none of those arrested so far are employees of ServiceOntario but the investigation is ongoing and further charges are anticipated. “These arrests and recoveries represent only a part of our commitment to reducing auto theft in Toronto,” said Police Chief Myron Demkiw. “While auto thefts in Toronto have declined by 21 per cent compared to this time in 2023, the problem persists particularly as it relates to carjackings.
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