Auto thieves conspired with ServiceOntario employees

Cops launched ‘Project Safari’ in February in response to a huge rise in vehicle theft in the GTA. Seven face 73 charges after cops learned an auto theft ring was conspiring with employees at ServiceOntario. Employees sold driving and vehicle data taken from the Ministry of Transportation database, including addresses. After stealing the vehicle, fraudulent vehicle identification numbers were placed on the stolen vehicles. Re-vinning makes the car appear legitimate. Vehicles were then sold to unsuspecting buyers. Others were used in crimes. Cops recovered $1.5m in stolen and re-vined vehicles in addition to equipment, tools and electronics. Hundreds of people had their information compromised. Busted are Keerthan Mangaleswaran, 29, Gobi Yogarajah, 25, Kajan Jokanajakam, 32, Milosha Ariyaratnam, 29, and Howard Lee, 22. Doneika Jackson, 38, and Andrea Fernandes, 30, were both charged with breach of trust by a public officer and trafficking in identity information.