16 charged in major auto theft bust, Peel police say

Peel police say they've arrested 16 people and laid 322 criminal charges in connection with a months-long auto theft investigation.

Police say 369 stolen vehicles — valued at $33.2 million collectively — have been recovered as a result of the investigation, which began in October 2023.

The accused range in age from 17 years old to 57 years old, police say, and warrants have been issued for 10 additional suspects.

"This has been Peel Regional Police's most significant auto theft investigation to date," said police Chief Nishan Duraiappah at a news conference Monday.

Duraiappah called it a "highly orchestrated criminal operation" in which suspects used carjackings, extortions and other methods to steal cars to ship overseas to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

The investigation's major case manager, Det.-Sgt. Greg O'Connor, said a family was "identified as responsible for facilitating the loading and transfer" of stolen vehicles from the GTA to the Port of Montreal.

Peel police are asking for anyone with information that may be assistance to contact investigators or submit information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.