2 charged in alleged Toronto auto theft ring, dozens of tools and fake plates seized

Toronto police say two people have been charged with an auto theft ring that saw “several” vehicles in the city stolen.

“The quality of technology, and the amount seized, speaks to the level of sophistication and technical skill employed by thieves during the commission of motor vehicle thefts within the city,” 53 Division Det. Daniel Kraehling said in a statement issued Wednesday morning.

“With tools such as this and the knowledge that thieves possess, vehicles can easily be stolen in under 30 seconds.”

In an operation dubbed Project Crone, officers said they began investigating an auto theft ring in July that saw an unidentified number of automobiles taken. According to the statement, warrants were executed on a vehicle repair damage against two men in Toronto and Brampton.

Investigators said a handgun, various electronic key fobs belonging to different vehicles, lock picks, tracking devices, electronic key fob reprogramming tools, fake licence plates and a radio frequency scanner were all seized by officers.

RELATED: Toronto councillor calls for crackdown amid upward trend in vehicle theft

Police said 25-year-old Toronto resident Ahmed Shkais was subsequently arrested and charged with 10 counts of vehicle theft, 10 counts of failure to comply with a release order, two counts of possessing break-in instruments, and possession of property obtained by crime. He appeared in a Toronto court on Dec. 7.

Adam Rafferty, a 30-year-old Brampton resident, was arrested and later charged with seven counts of operating a vehicle while prohibited and theft of a vehicle. He was set to appear in a Toronto court on Wednesday.

The charges against the accused haven’t been proven in court.

News of the arrests came days after a Toronto councillor called for action to crack down on the number of auto thefts in the city, including the creation of a dedicated police unit and increased information sharing across the region.

Auto thefts in Ontario have been increasing each year since 2016, and 2021 was poised to see another year-over-year jump.