An investigation that started in September involving the Barrie Police-South Simcoe Police Street Crime Auto Theft Unit and the Anti-money Laundering Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police has resulted in numerous criminal charges against two Innisfil residents.
"The joint forces entered into multiple criminal investigations spanning across several regions in the Greater Toronto Area involving a stolen vehicle, forged identification, and other property crimes," South Simcoe Police (SSP) said in a news release on Wednesday.
According to investigators, the suspects focused their attention on auto theft to obtain personal identification to carry out fraud-related thefts.
Last month, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched a fraud investigation at a Costco in Orillia, and in collaboration with SSP, identified a 34-year-old male suspect who was also linked to additional incidents in the area.
On November 19, police executed a search warrant at an Innisfil residence and recovered a Ford transit van reported stolen in Peel Region on October 25.
The male linked to the fraud probe in Orillia and a 35-year-old woman were charged with 35 criminal offences including possession of property obtained by crime, identity theft, possession of identity documents, theft of gas, and possession of a device for the purpose of committing a theft.
The male was held for a bail hearing, the female was released with an undertaking.
"These types of investigations are complex and require hours of specialized police work to take place long before any arrests can be made," police stated.
