Crime Stoppers has recently released its highly anticipated top five most wanted list for auto theft in York Region. The list, unveiled during a news conference held on Monday, sheds light on the alarming rise in car thefts in the area. Representatives from the York Regional Police, Equite Association, and Crime Stoppers of York Region came together to discuss the statistics for 2023 and outline their plans for the upcoming year.
According to Det. Sgt. Pat Smyth, a member of York Regional Police’s car theft unit, last year saw a staggering increase in the number of stolen cars, with approximately 5,000 vehicles lost in the region. This is a significant jump from the previous year’s average of 800 stolen cars. Smyth emphasized that these figures reflect the current climate, where auto theft is on the rise.
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The topmost wanted individual on the list is Mansor Abdul, a 34-year-old man with a last known address in Brossard, Quebec. He has been identified as the “mastermind” behind a stolen vehicle trafficking ring. During the investigation, it was discovered that the stolen vehicles were being shipped overseas, including to the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. Abdul fled to Kabul, Afghanistan, to evade arrest and has not returned to Canada since.
Another notable name on the list is Abu Ayi, a 44-year-old man from Toronto. Ayi was identified as the alleged leader of a criminal group that targeted Honda and Toyota SUVs for overnight driveway thefts. The investigation, known as Project Victory, resulted in the recovery of 70 stolen vehicles worth $4.5 million. Ayi, however, managed to flee to Ghana with a fraudulent passport while awaiting trial, leaving investigators to believe he will not be returning to Canada.
Ala Malak Mekdad, a 23-year-old from Montreal, Quebec, is also featured on the most wanted list. Mekdad is believed to be the leader of one of the crews that targeted the Greater Toronto Area for overnight driveway thefts. The stolen vehicles were shipped to various continents, including Africa and the Middle East, where investigators suspect they were stolen using the technique known as “relay theft.”
The remaining two individuals on the list are Modibo Bamba and Amiel Tambwe Katende, both 21 years old. They were allegedly involved in a large theft crew that targeted high-end vehicles in the GTA. These individuals put the public at risk as they allegedly operated stolen vehicles dangerously. Both Bamba and Katende fled to their native Montreal and have yet to be apprehended.
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Bryan Gast, the vice president of investigative services at Equite Association, highlighted the fact that Canada remains a “source nation” for stolen vehicles. He noted that organized crime continues to export stolen vehicles, mainly through the Port of Montreal, or reinvent them for domestic resale by registering them across the country. The high profit margins and low risk of prosecution make it an attractive endeavor for criminals.
As the auto theft problem continues to escalate in York Region, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and Crime Stoppers are working tirelessly to combat this issue. The release of the most wanted list serves as a reminder to the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may aid in the apprehension of these criminals. Together, we can make our communities safer and reduce the incidence of auto theft..
