Stolen vehicles from Vaughan, Markham, Toronto and Mississauga were being sent to Africa through Montreal via rail
The Canadian Bazaar
TORONTO: More than 50 vehicles stolen from across the Greater Toronto Area have been recovered and 11 people arrested by police in an ongoing auto theft investigation.
Police say the stolen vehicles were bound for Africa, travelling through Montreal via rail.
Most stolen vehicles are Honda CRV’s. Other vehicles include Honda Accords, Toyota Highlanders, a Toyota Corolla, a Range Rover and Lexus sport utility vehicles.
The vehicles were stolen from Vaughan, Markham, Toronto and Mississauga.
The vehicles were stolen during night from residences and during the day from commercial properties by forcing entry into the vehicle and reprogramming a key by utilizing the vehicles onboard diagnostic port, according to police.
The investigation began in January 2020 after investigators with the York Regional Police Auto/Cargo Theft Unit became aware of a group of people who were trafficking stolen vehicles.
As the investigation progressed and with the assistance of the Toronto Police Service, York Police officers were able to link the thefts of vehicles from Vaughan, Markham, Toronto and Mississauga.
Those arrested are:
Frank Victor, 31, of Vaughan
Miguel Russell, 48, of Toronto
Maxwell Asante, 35, of Brampton
Gavin Persaud, 22, of Toronto
Kevin Shamlall, 19, of Toronto
Karran Persaud, 20, of Toronto
Afzal Gulmahamad, 24, of Toronto
Emanuel Binful, 36, of Oakville
Rajkumar Singh, 46, of Toronto
Stanley Udeh, 39, of Toronto
Festus Nwobodo, 45, of Toronto
