Operation Uncovers Chop Shops and Fraudulent VINs

By Ron Fanfair

Ron Fanfair

Writer/Photographer

23 Division
31 Division

In the past four months, Toronto Police have seized 363 stolen vehicles valued about $14 million, made 59 arrests and laid 302 charges in an investigation, Project Thoroughbred, aimed at dismantling auto theft rings engaged in fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).

“Warrants have also been issued for the arrests of more than a dozen people and numerous fraudulent VINs have been identified,” said Chief Myron Demkiw at a news conference on November 1. “This project builds on the achievements of our previous operation, Project Stallion, which recovered over 1,000 vehicles and led to nearly 230 arrests.

“Project Thoroughbred is advancing that work, with a particular focus on dismantling auto theft rings involved in fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers, and ‘chop shops’, where stolen vehicles are cut up into smaller parts and prepared for international shipment.”

Investigators also recovered stolen vehicles from shipping containers destined for overseas locations. In partnership with Canada Border Services, one shipping container with stolen vehicles was located in Belgium. Those vehicles are in transit back to Canada.

Demkiw said the arrests and recoveries represent a part of the Service’s commitment to reducing auto theft in the city.

“Project Thoroughbred exemplifies our dedication to combating the persistent issue of auto thefts in our city,” he said. “It also underscores the vital collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transportation, Equité Association, the Canada Border Services Agency, York, Durham, and Montreal Police services, and the Ontario Provincial Police, in addressing a problem that significantly impacts the safety and security of our communities.”
Demkiw said Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, through funding provided by the Government of Ontario, also supported Project Thoroughbred.

“It is just one of many strategic and intelligence-led initiatives that our Service has undertaken to tackle this problem, including the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force, our Organized Crime Investigative Support Unit, and other Joint Force Operations that law enforcement agencies are collaborating on regionally, provincially and federally,” he added.

“While auto thefts in Toronto have declined by 21% compared to this time in 2023, the problem persists, particularly as it relates to carjackings. This is why we are committed to continuing our partnership with government and law enforcement agencies to enhance our enforcement efforts and protect our residents. We remain committed to our collaborative efforts to drive down auto thefts and enhance public safety.”

Superintendent Ron Taverner said several Service Ontario employees are alleged to have knowingly used fake documents provided by the accused parties to make it look like VINs were valid.

“They registered real Ontario licence plates to these fake VINs and those vehicles were sold as legitimate properly plated vehicles,” said Taverner, who noted Service Ontario is investigating and charges will be laid.

Taverner said Project Thoroughbred, which was led by 23 and 31 Division officers, has uncovered three unique ways to traffic in stolen vehicles.

“They are: the registration of phony VIN numbers of stolen vehicles; the dismantling of stolen vehicles through local ‘chop shops’; and the overseas shipment of stolen vehicles with fraudulent VINs,” he said.

With the support of Canada Border Services, York and Durham Regional Police, the OPP and Montreal Police Service, 100 falsely registered plates have been flagged. Police have seized 40 of these vehicles with phony VINs, seven more have been located in the Toronto area using the automated plate reading system and eight more were found in some of the chop shops.

Taverner said the chop shops are located across the city.

“As you can imagine, this is a very lucrative market for these stolen vehicles and parts. They offer high rewards financially with minimum risks. These shops can chop a car up in a very short period of time,” he said, noting one vehicle was being dismantled inside of one day.

SUVs, and parts of vehicles in a loading dock area
Officers seized stolen vehicles, some that were being dismantled to be sold in parts Photo: Brent Smyth

Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow brought a motion to City Council, that was unanimously supported, for all level of government to work as a team to curb ongoing auto theft.

“One of the things we are asking the federal government for is to upgrade the standards and expectations, working with both the auto and tech sectors to mitigate criminals from not only stealing cars in the first place and selling them,” he said. “Imagine if there are actually identifiers on every single car to make it more difficult to sell on the black market with that unique fingerprint on them to know where they came from. We want to make sure that the government understands it is a priority for Torontonians that they expedite the screening of these parts in vehicles that are leaving our country.”

When purchasing a used vehicle, police recommend that buyers obtain vehicle history reports. Re-vinned vehicles will often have discrepancies in their vehicle histories such as being the wrong colour or having inconsistent odometer readings.

Anyone with information con contact police at 416-808-2300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS or at www.222.tips.com.

People gathered at a podium in front of vehicles and vehicle parts
Chief Myron Demkiw announcing the results of Project Thoroughbred, including the seizure of stolen vehicles and auto parts Photo: Brent Smyth

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auto theft

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