Thursday, September 19, 2024

Major Canadian police operation recovers 598 stolen vehicles

First Published:

A joint operation between Ontario’s provincial police force and the Canadian Border Services Agency has recovered 598 stolen vehicles.

Of the 598 stolen vehicles, 32 were from Halton, Hamilton or Niagara Region.

Authorities say that the vehicles identified as stolen from Ontario have a potential value of $34.5 million.

The operation was known as Project Vector and employed officers to search sea containers suspected of containing stolen vehicles.

Since the project began in December, 390 shipping containers have been inspected. 598 stolen vehicles were found in that time with 483 of them originated from Ontario.

It isn’t just theft that the vehicles have been involved in. Police say that many of the vehicles recovered were connected to other criminal incidents, such as carjackings and home invasions — and their origins will continue to be investigated.

At this time, no arrests have been made.

Images shared by police show a wide-range of vehicles, among some of them are brand new Mercedes-Benz G-Class wagons, Dodge RAM pickup trucks and Toyota Tundra’s.

“These vehicles were destined to be exported overseas, to markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America,” said Deputy OPP Commissioner Marty Kearns.

This announcement comes just weeks after the Peel Regional Police force hosted its second annual Auto Theft Summit.

READ MORE: Peel police host 2nd Auto Theft Summit to curb rising thefts

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