In an effort to reduce the number of catalytic and stolen vehicle thefts, a five-month Toronto Police Service (TPS) investigation has resulted in the recovery of 556 vehicles worth more than $27 million and the filing of 314 charges against 119 individuals.
Project Stallion started in November 2022 and is still going strong.
Chief Myron Demkiw stated at a news conference on April 26 in front of recovered stolen vehicles, “As we speak, our dedicated officers are continuing to recover stolen vehicles and identify and hold the people who commit these crimes to account.” Obviously, the quantity of auto robberies occurring in Toronto has expanded decisively throughout the course of recent years.”
According to the Chief, the number of auto thefts has doubled since 2019, making the crime a major problem in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Demkiw noticed that ‘Undertaking Steed’, like others that are occurring across the Assistance, is an illustration of the moves that Toronto Police are making in networks to handle the developing issue.
He stated, “As a Service, we are committed, above all else, to the safety and well-being of our residents.”
According to the Unit Commander for the 22 and 23 Divisions, Superintendent Ron Taverner, nearly 2,000 vehicles and 300 catalytic converters were stolen in the two divisions last year.
This investigation was supported by the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Vehicle robbery and its effect on savage wrongdoing, added Taverner, is a developing issue in the GTA that can truly think twice about casualty’s very own security and prosperity.
He stated, “It affects your ability to get to work, collect your children, and run errands if your car is stolen out of your driveway.” Specifically, assuming that you are a survivor of a carjacking, the injury from that occasion can be significant and dependable. Toronto Police don’t mess with these wrongdoings and Undertaking Steed is evidence of that.”
The rise in auto thefts, according to Detective Sergeant Peter Wehby of the Service’s Organized Crime Investigative Support (OCIS) Team, which was established in June 2022 to provide a targeted response to emerging crime trends associated with organized crime, is not restricted to the Greater Toronto Area.
“This is presently a commonplace, public and, surprisingly, worldwide issue,” he noted. ” This problem persists because stolen automobiles frequently fetch high prices when sold domestically or internationally. Demand for these vehicles has been created by organized crime groups, which sometimes leads to violent crimes like pharmacy robberies and carjackings.
Wehby said the OCIS group has focused on auto burglary.
He continued, “We have a group of dedicated investigators tasked with addressing this in collaboration with local Divisions.” These examiners are working nonstop in a joint effort with our accomplices in policing, government offices, industry and our networks. Project Steed is an illustration of how knowledge drove and data sharing can assist us with handling this developing issue.”
There is a Major Crime Unit in each TPS Division that looks into reports of auto theft to see if there are any parallels or connections to other incidents. The Divisions likewise examine wrongdoing patterns and execute proactive uniform and casually dressed undertakings to handle specific problem areas.
