The Halton Regional Police Service has arrested four individuals from Quebec after a cluster of high-end vehicle thefts last week in the Town of Oakville.
Between September 17 and 23, 2019, the Halton Regional Police Service received ten reports of newer-model Lexus and Toyota SUVs being stolen during overnight hours from residential driveways in north Oakville.
The Service quickly implemented a comprehensive action plan which included crime prevention messaging, increased uniformed patrols, augmented investigative support, exhaustive canvassing, and collaboration with other jurisdictions in an effort to identify and apprehend the persons responsible for these crimes.
During the early morning hours of September 24, 2019, the Halton Regional Police Service was conducting proactive patrols in a residential neighbourhood that had already been heavily targeted by these car thieves. During this time, patrol officers stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Postridge Drive and Dundas Street, Oakville. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the officers formed reasonable grounds to arrest all four occupants for possession of break and enter tools.
During a search of that vehicle, officers located several Lexus key fobs, an on-board diagnostics device, screwdrivers, gloves, and flashlights. Officers also located personal identification of a victim who had his SUV stolen on September 16, 2019. A significant sum of Canadian currency was also located on the person of one of the individuals.
The following Quebec individuals were placed under arrest and charged with the following offences:
23 year-old of Montreal:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
18 year-old of Montreal:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
26 year-old of Montreal:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (small amount of MDMA)
- Breach of Probation (4 counts)
20 year-old of Longueuil:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime
- Fail to Comply with Recognizance
All four Quebec individuals were held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with questions or information about these vehicle thefts is asked to contact Detective. Omar Nadim at the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2278.
Tips can also be submitted 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
Car Thieves Targeting SUV's in Oakville post has several tips to protect your car from theft.
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.