Nearly 90 stolen vehicles recovered by police in York Region
Nearly 90 stolen cars were recovered and nine people from Ontario and Quebec have been charged in connection with a massive vehicle theft investigation in the Greater Toronto Area.
The investigation—named Project Crockpot—began in June.
Throughout the course of the investigation, officers identified nine people believed to be involved in the theft of vehicles. Police say those stolen cars were being shipped overseas and sold.
Police executed search warrants at several locations in Toronto and say they recovered 88 stolen cars worth more than $5 million.
They also seized an unspecified quantity of electronic re-programmers and about $300,000 in cash.
The nine suspects, three of whom are Quebec residents, were arrested and are facing a combined 53 charges. The offences include possession of property obtained by crime over and under $5,000, possession of a master key, theft of a motor vehicle and trafficking in property obtained by crime over $5,000.
In a news release issued Thursday, York Regional Police said that thieves have recently been using tools like screwdrivers to gain access to vehicles without setting off an alarm.
“Once inside, an electronic device, typically used by mechanics to reprogram the factory setting, is connected to a port below the dashboard and programs the vehicle to accept a key the thieves have brought with them,” they said. “Once the new key is programmed, the vehicle will start and the thieves drive it away.”
Vehicle owners are being urged to keep their vehicle in a locked garage, to use a steering wheel lock and to install a lock on the data port.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact York Regional Police or reach out to crime stoppers anonymously.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.