Peel police said the auto-theft ring targeted more than 100 vehicles including Lexus SUVs, Toyota Tundras, Sequoias and Highlanders and Ram trucks made betweenÌý2022 and 2024.
Nearly $4M in vehicles stolen near Pearson airport recovered, over 100 charges laid in ‘proliferate’ auto-theft ring probe
Project Tallahassee, a multi-jurisdictional police, airport and border services investigation probing the theft of over 100 vehicles, has resulted in six arrests and arrest warrants for five more suspects.
Peel police said the auto-theft ring targeted more than 100 vehicles including Lexus SUVs, Toyota Tundras, Sequoias and Highlanders and Ram trucks made betweenÌý2022 and 2024.
More than 100 criminal charges have been laid and nearly $4 million worth of vehicles stolen in and around Pearson airport have been recovered after a multi-jurisdictional police, airport and border services probe of an auto theft ring.Ìý
In a news release on Friday, Peel police said the probeÌý— dubbed Project Tallahassee — identified over 100 stolen vehicles and has resulted in the arrests of six people, and five others wanted on arrest warrants, who are all from Quebec.Ìý
This past July, investigators from the Airport Division Criminal Investigation Bureau Ìýidentified andÌýanalyzed crime patterns that indicated a car-theft ring was operating near the airport.ÌýThe suspected stolen vehicles targeted were Lexus SUVs, Toyota Tundras, Sequoias and Highlanders and Ram trucks made between 2022 and 2024.
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By using statistical data, crime trend analysis and through working with several other law enforcement organizations, investigators were able to identify suspects, specific methods they were using, their inner workings and travel routes.
In the co-ordinated Project Tallahassee operation that ran from August to November, officers used residential search warrants in º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøand found computer programmers, master keys and signal-jamming devices.Ìý
The six people arrested, aged 22 to 35, now face more than 100 combined charges related to auto theft.
The outstanding suspects, aged 21 to 31,Ìýare also wanted for auto-theft criminal offences.
Police are encouraging the individuals to seek legal counsel and turn themselves in to police.
“Peel Police understands the personal toll it takes on anyone who has their vehicle stolen. It’s distressing and causes disruption in their daily lives,”Ìýsaid Deputy Chief Marc Andrews about theÌý“proliferate auto theft ring.”
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“This operation is a testament to the power of collaboration, data-driven investigations, and a shared commitment to protecting the public,” Andrews said.
“Crimes like these play a key role in funding other forms of illegal activity and continue to impact members of our communities,” Andrews said in a video message.Ìý
Anyone with any information can contact investigators at Airport Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121 extension 3133or anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
Anastasia Blosser is a breaking news reporter, working out of
the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: ablosser@thestar.ca
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