ServiceOntario workers involved in major vehicle theft ring operating in Mississauga and Brampton

A criminal organization reselling stolen vehicles in Mississauga and Brampton is just one of three crime groups that were recently taken down by provincial police.

In a news conference today (July 28), OPP shared the results of Project MYRA, a multi-jurisdictional investigation into the fraudulent modification and sale of hundreds of stolen vehicles.

Police say they’ve recovered 214 stolen vehicles valued at more than $12 million, as well as six firearms and a quantity of cash and drugs. Hondas and Acuras accounted for 37 per cent of vehicles recovered.

“These thefts occurred mainly in Ontario,” said police.

28 people have been charged with 242 offences, including charges related to the Criminal Code, the Cannabis Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 

People charged include employees of ServiceOntario, who are accused of assisting with the illegitimate registration of stolen vehicles.

The investigation led police to a criminal organization based in Peel, which was responsible for altering vehicle identification numbers (VIN) of stolen vehicles — a process police call “re-vinning” — then fraudulently registering the vehicles and reselling them.

Police also busted a group based in York Region which was re-vinning and reselling high-end vehicles, as well as a group based in Durham Region and Toronto which was responsible for fraudulently registering stolen vehicles in Saskatchewan, transferring the fraudulent vehicle documentation to Ontario, registering the vehicles in Ontario, and reselling these vehicles to various individuals or other criminal networks.

The following people have been charged:

• Lionel Stoddart, 28, from Oakville
• Jacob Pleau, 43, from Stoney Creek
• Luigi Lotufo, 40, from North York
• Tonisha Baird, 29, from Toronto
• Blue Pelletier, 44, from Saskatoon, SK
• Ahmet Ibrahimi, 28, from Kitchener
• Anthony Putzu, 29, from Toronto
• Gee-ron Johnson, 33, from Toronto
• Valentine Makorie, 27, from Mississauga
• Kenna Isho, 32, from Brampton
• Morsal Sadat, 25, from Caledon
• Fadi Jaroo, 33, from Etobicoke
• Raynor Bucknor, 54, from Mississauga
• Name Withheld, 35, from Oakville
• Eric Johnson, 38, from Bradford
• Johnathan Banchon, 32, from Mississauga
• John Aime Tsun Magan, 33, from Vaughan
• Mentor Ibrahimi, 26, from Kitchener
• Crystal Hovey, 30, from Georgetown
• Name Withheld, 30, from Toronto,
• Christopher Montague-Mitchell, 31, from Saskatoon, SK
• Gary Laird, 31, from Georgina
• Oanh Elizabeth Tran, 36, from Mississauga
• Tyler Shubrook, 25, from Gravenhurst
• Antoni Tran, 24, from Mississauga
• Quang Vinh Tran, 59, from Mississauga
• Minh Quang Tran, 34, from Mississauga
• Aisa Husaini, 30, from Toronto

Police say they executed a total of 44 search warrants in various locations, resulting in the seizure of six firearms, 230 grams of suspected fentanyl, 1,840 grams of suspected cocaine, 77 kilograms of cannabis, 150 grams of suspected cannabis resin, 10 grams of suspected psilocybin, $8,400 in US currency, $160,000 in Canadian currency, two money counters, and two laser marking machines.

OPP are advising residents who buy used vehicles to exercise caution throughout the process. “If anything seems suspicious, do not provide funds and contact law enforcement,” said police.

Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich of Peel Regional Police says there’s been an obvious rise in car thefts in Peel.

“Currently we are seeing hundreds of vehicles being stolen on a monthly basis, which is substantially higher than previous months,” said Milinovich.

“This is not exclusive to Peel, it is an issue and a concern which extends outside of our jurisdiction and province.”

Police have advised residents to take steps to keep their vehicles secure and prevent theft, including:

• If possible, park vehicles in a locked garage
• Install GPS trackers in vehicles if possible
• Install steering wheel lock systems
• Store vehicle keys/fobs away from the exterior walls of your home
• Consider storing keys/fobs in Faraday boxes
• Ensure you always lock car doors and roll up your windows
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in the area of driveways and entranceways

The investigation into these stolen vehicles is ongoing.

RELATED: 374 cars stolen in the past 30 days in Mississauga and Brampton