Two dozen stolen vehicles have been recovered following an investigation that involved several police agencies, including the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS).
In February 2023, the HRPS Auto Theft Task Force commenced an investigation into stolen vehicles being transported to Dubai. In collaboration with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) locally and overseas, and in partnership with Peel Regional Police, investigators were able to intercept 24 vehicles (valued at approximately 2.1 million dollars) before they reached their destination in Dubai. One of the vehicles recovered is a Rolls-Royce valued at approximately $500,000.
The vehicles were intercepted while in transit through Morocco and have since been returned to Canada. This is the largest ever seizure in Morocco of stolen Canadian vehicles.
These vehicles are primarily ‘reprogrammed’ thefts wherein the suspects enter the vehicle and reprogram the ignition computers, which allow them to be driven away using a new key. The vehicles are then either driven to the Port of Montreal or loaded into shipping containers in Toronto and transported to Montreal by rail.
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No arrests have been made yet and police are continuing to investigate.
The HRPS is applying significant resources to investigate auto theft occurrences; however, crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Please call 911 if you witness a crime in progress or if you see suspicious persons/vehicles in your neighbourhood.
There are some measures that residents can take to decrease the chance of the vehicle being stolen:
- Park your vehicle in a locked garage
- Block the exit of a potential target vehicle with a second vehicle parked behind it
- Install an on-board diagnostic blocker/protector
- Install a steering wheel lock device
- Install an aftermarket GPS tracking device
- Install home security cameras on the exterior of the residence
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Regional Auto Theft Task Force at 905-825-4777 ext. 3407.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
