Carjacking network that caused ‘havoc’ in GTA dismantled: York regional police
Posted November 15, 2022 1:30 pm.
Last Updated November 15, 2022 1:31 pm.
York regional police say they’ve recovered $1.4 million in stolen vehicles and laid 116 charges after dismantling a carjacking network that has caused “havoc” across the Greater Toronto Area.
Dubbed Operation GTA, the joint-forces effort targeted organized crime groups that funded and fuelled the disturbing rash of violent carjackings.
“Multiple jurisdictions across the GTA have seen a marked increase in carjackings during and post the COVID-19 pandemic,” York regional police said in a release Tuesday. “These often-violent crimes of opportunity, many involving armed suspects, continue to cause havoc in our communities and pose serious risk to public safety.”
Police said many of the stolen vehicles are used to commit further violent crimes, like retail robberies or other carjackings.
Operation GTA started in June 2022, with numerous warrants executed in October.
A total of 16 people were charged with 116 offences.
“Investigators recovered 19 stolen vehicles worth approximately $1.4 million and identified an additional 50 re-vinned vehicles worth over $5 million,” police explained.
“These re-vinned vehicles are stolen and have had their Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) altered. Investigators believe that some of these vehicles have been resold to unsuspecting buyers.”
Carjacking became a headline crime when Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner had his luxury wheels lifted at gunpoint after the Leafs were ousted from the playoffs last spring.
