By Trend News Line 2024-05-28 19:00:40.
Investigation Leads to Seizure of $3 Million in Stolen Classic Cars
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
A recent tip from a concerned Canadian resident has led to a major breakthrough in the investigation of vehicle thefts in Lambton County, Ontario. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced on Thursday that they successfully recovered over $3 million worth of stolen cars, including several valuable classic vehicles, in Stirling, Ontario. This significant operation comes after a six-month-long investigation into a series of vehicle thefts in the region.
The case first came to light in late 2023 when a Lambton County resident reported multiple vehicles stolen. The investigation eventually led police to a property in Stirling, a community located north of Belleville, where they executed a search warrant on May 14. The operation resulted in the recovery of an astonishing 45 vehicles, underscoring the magnitude of the theft ring operating in the area.
Two individuals, Robert Bradshaw, 54, and Gary Leblanc, 55, both residents of Stirling, have been charged in connection with the thefts. The provincial asset forfeiture unit identified 16 of the seized vehicles as proceeds of crime. Bradshaw and Leblanc face multiple charges, including motor vehicle theft over $5,000, fraud over $5,000, using forged documents, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense. Additionally, Leblanc is facing charges of uttering threats.
Leblanc, who has a previous criminal record, was also involved in a human trafficking investigation in Hamilton. He was arrested in July and is scheduled for a trial date setting on May 30. Both suspects have been released on bail and are expected to appear in court in Belleville on June 27.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
According to OPP spokesperson Wade, tracking classic cars poses a unique challenge compared to modern vehicles due to the lack of advanced identification methods. Wade explained, “Classic cars are a small fraction of the 30,000 vehicles stolen annually in Ontario, but they are valuable and harder to track due to fewer identification tools.”
The recovered vehicles will be returned to their rightful owners, which may include insurance companies if claims have already been settled. This seizure comes amidst a troubling rise in auto thefts across Canada, with an estimated 90,000 vehicles stolen annually, costing insurers and taxpayers approximately $1 billion, as reported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
Canada has increasingly become a target for auto theft, with organized crime groups playing a significant role in the illicit trade of stolen vehicles. These groups often ship the stolen cars overseas for resale in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Earlier this year, Montreal police discovered 598 vehicles stolen from Ontario and Quebec in shipping containers, highlighting the scope of the issue.
The integration of Canada’s stolen vehicle registration database with Interpol has led to the detection of over 1,500 stolen vehicles worldwide since February. Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock emphasized the broader implications of vehicle theft, noting the connection to various criminal activities, from drug trafficking to terrorism.
While the OPP has not confirmed an organized crime link in the Stirling case, Wade acknowledged the possibility given the scale of the operation. “Anytime there’s a large-scale investigation, I would be surprised if there’s not an organized crime element to it,” he remarked.
The ongoing investigation and upcoming court proceedings aim to unravel the full extent of the criminal network behind these thefts, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
Stay updated on the latest news by signing up for the Motorious Newsletter. For more updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram..
– Police seize stolen classic cars Ontario
– Stolen classic cars recovered Ontario.
