Service Ontario employees among 28 busted in auto-theft rings

215 stolen cars have been recovered and 28 have been charged, including an unspecified number of Service Ontario employees, in connection with the dismantling of three auto-theft rings. Service Ontario employees assisted with the “illegitimate registration of stolen vehicles.” 242 charges were laid. Offences include using a forged document, trafficking in property obtained by crime, fraud over $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of trust.

The first ring was based in Peel Region and altered VINs from vehicles stolen in Ontario and then reselling them. The second group was based in Durham Region and Toronto. This network fraudulently registered stolen vehicles in Saskatchewan, transferred fraudulent vehicle documents to Ontario, registered the vehicles and resold them. Police say these vehicles were also sold to other criminals. The 3rd ring was based in York Region and dealt primarily with high-end stolen vehicles.