Operation GTA was launched in June of this year as “a joint forces operation focused on identifying and targeting the criminal networks responsible for financing and fueling the increase in violent carjackings in the Greater Toronto Area.”
The task force was led by the York Regional Police and partnering agencies included the Toronto Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police.
Police said in a press release that carjacking incidents had increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and that many of the incidents involved armed suspects, posing serious risks to public safety.
Police say multiple search warrants were executed on October 11 and 12 of this year, resulting in the arrests. Investigators say they recovered 19 stolen vehicles valued at approximately $1.4 million and located an additional 50 “remanufactured” vehicles valued at more than $5 million.
“These refurbished vehicles are stolen and have had their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) changed. “Investigators believe that some of these vehicles have been resold to unsuspecting buyers,” police said in the statement.
York Regional Police released a video showing the arrest of a suspect along with a number of the allegedly stolen vehicles.
Police are asking anyone with information about incidents in York Region to contact the York Regional Police Standby Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6631 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
