Joint forces investigation uncovers substantial auto theft rings

Nineteen individuals have been charged with more than 130 Criminal Code theft and fraud related charges and more than $1.5 million worth of stolen vehicles and other stolen/recovered property were seized by police as a result of a successful covert joint forces auto theft investigation in the GTA.

The investigation, known as Project X5 was headed by the Provincial Auto Theft Team (PATT), a partnership between the Ontario Provincial Police(OPP), Peel Regional Police Service, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police Service. Assistance was also provided by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), the OPP Anti-Rackets Section, OPP Asset Forfeiture Unit and OPP Drug Enforcement Section.

It was the culmination of a five-month undercover investigation that involved the theft of a number of high-end luxury vehicles and stolen cargo.

Project X5 also resulted in the seizure of more than $800,000 in controlled substances, $55,000 in cash as well as handguns and long guns.

Project X5 involved an undercover police officer posing as a purchaser and exporter of stolen high-end vehicles and stolen cargo loads. Police infiltrated the criminal rings by posing as illicit receivers of stolen goods, purchasing stolen property and gathering evidence against the individuals.

Among those charged was Rashpal Binag, 39 of Caledon, with Theft Over $5,000, 1 count; Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, 4 counts; Possession of Proceeds, 5 counts; Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, 1 count; Uttering Forged Document, 2 counts; Forgery, 1 count; Counterfeit Mark, 2 counts; Break, enter and Theft, 1 count.

A number of persons are being sought on outstanding arrest warrants and additional related charges.