York Regional Police have charged six men from the Greater Toronto Area with multiple offences in connection with the theft of 25 vehicles with a value of more than $2.2 million.
Police said their Auto Cargo Theft Unit became aware of a parking lot in Mississauga last month in which a number of stolen vehicles were parked. Through investigation, police identified suspects and other locations were discovered where stolen vehicles were being taken and stored.
"On December 14, 2023, a search warrant was executed at a warehouse in Mississauga and stolen vehicles were found inside shipping containers," according to a police news release. "The vehicles had been reported stolen from all across the Greater Toronto Area. Police also seized a number of stolen licence plates, master car keys and a key re-programming device."
Five suspects were arrested during the search warrant execution. Last Friday, a sixth suspect was taken into custody by Canada Border Services Agency officers at Toronto Pearson International Airport who were acting on an arrest warrant.
All the suspects have been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000. Five of the suspects have been charged with possession of an automobile master key and fail to comply with an undertaking.
Three of the six men arrested were out on bail at the time for unrelated matters, police said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Images supplied - York Regional Police
