The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) have arrested eight suspects and laid over 90 charges as multiple investigators finish up a multi-jurisdictional auto theft investigation named Project Mulligan.
A video from The Halton Regional Police Service was released March 13, announcing the execution of the investigation:
Project Mulligan:
— Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) March 13, 2025
The HPRS Organized Crime Unit has concluded a multi-jurisdictional auto theft investigation that has led to the arrest of 8 suspects. Over 90 Criminal charges have been laid and 18 stolen vehicles recovered. Refer to the accompanying video and media release for… pic.twitter.com/bTyWdZA7QT
During the fall of 2024, HRPS saw an increase in high end auto thefts from the parking lots of hotels located in Oakville and Burlington.
To respond to these thefts, members of HRPS Organized Crime Unit started a coordinated investigation and learned about an organized group of auto thieves that were primarily operating within Halton and Peel Regions.
As the investigation went on, detectives were able to use a variety of investigative tactics to find areas where the stolen vehicles were placed to “cool off”, in addition to locations where the vehicles were kept, loaded and transferred to various other shipping points throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, HRPS Organized Crime Unit, with the help of the HRPS Drug and 2 District Street Crime Units, helped execute 10 Criminal Code search warrants on vehicles, storage facilities and residences all over the GTA.
Due to these search warrants, further items of evidentiary value were found and recovered by police which included auto theft tools, reprogramming kits and a re-vinned BMW.
Investigators of this case believe the auto theft crew was responsible for over 75 vehicle thefts since September of 2024.
As of this date, investigators have located and recovered 18 of these stolen vehicles, two of which were located inside shipping containers at the Port of Montreal.
As a result of this investigation, the following individuals have been arrested and charged.
Luis Bello-Reyes (29) of Etobicoke:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (16 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (14 Counts)
- Trafficking Stolen Property
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
- Possession of Electronic Device for the Purpose of Committing Motor Vehicle Theft
- Possess Break and Enter Tools
Amir Habibzai (25) of Mississauga:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (11 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (10 Counts)
- Trafficking Stolen Property
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
Furkan Ari (22) of Toronto:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (7 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (6 Counts)
Dmytro Aref’yev (34) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Yekta Isik (30) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Tanbir Islam (28) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
- Fail to Comply – Being on a Release Order
Fatima Salame (25) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Pierre Bytion (30) of Toronto:
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
In addition to this arrest, Bello-Reyes, Habibzai, and Bytion were all on prior forms of release for similar criminal offences.
All accused suspects were held in custody pending their own respective bail hearings in Milton.
Upon investigative review, both Luis Bello-Reyes and Amir Habibzai were denied bail and will stay in custody while they await trial.
Auto theft is usually undertaken by organized criminal elements who use the earnings of the theft to enhance their criminal enterprises. An investigation into this organized auto theft crew is still commencing and additional charges may be pending.
“The rise in Incidents of auto theft and its related crimes is of utmost concern and remains a top priority of the Halton Regional Police Service. Auto thieves continue to incorporate a variety of techniques to commit these thefts while engaging in varying strategies to avoid detection and arrest. This most recent investigation is an example of our commitment to combatting these organized criminal elements and holding those responsible accountable.” Superintendent Dave Stewart, Regional Investigative Services.
Auto theft was the main topic of discussion by Halton MPs at a press conference in Oakville on March 8, 2025.
Read more here: Members of Parliament gather in Oakville to discuss auto theft prevention
HRPS says they extend their thanks to the Ontario Provincial Government for their overwhelming support through funding provided from the Preventing Auto Theft grant program.
HRPS also wants to thank officers from the Peel and York Regional Police Services for their assistance in this investigation.
Anyone with any information regarding this auto theft investigation is asked to contact investigators with the Organized Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 7006.