Seven people have been arrested and charged in connection with an eight-month investigation into a high-end vehicle theft ring in Toronto and York Region.
Led by Toronto Police Service’s Hold Up Squad with the help of York Regional Police Service, Laval Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency and several other TPS units, “Project Taurus” included five search warrants for houses and vehicles.
In the end, police recovered 19 of 28 stolen vehicles and allegedly seized two guns, two knives and $ 40,000.
Project Taurus was launched in the spring of 2021 following the at-times violent theft of several luxury vehicles, including Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz models.
In a Feb. 1 news release, Toronto police said the accused employed “various distraction methods” before swarming victims as they entered or exited their vehicles.
They said, once the vehicles were stolen, the accused removed the vehicles’ GPS tracking systems before they tried – and in some cases succeeded – in shipping them overseas.
Toronto police pointed to one specific incident that took place on Jan. 7, at about 2:30 am, in North York.
They said a man was reportedly parking his Lamborghini near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue when three men approached in another vehicle.
Two of the men allegedly exited their vehicle, approached the Lamborghini, and brandished a knife. They allegedly demanded the driver hand over his keys and cellphone, which he did. Two of the suspects then fled the scene in his car, while the third suspect driving the other vehicle, followed them.
Officers from 32 Division, along with those from York Regional Police Service, were able to track the stolen Lamborghini using GPS technology and a helicopter.
Investigators said one of the suspects noticed the heavy police presence and abandoned the Lambo near Jane Street and Weston Road.
The suspects reportedly fled in their vehicle and drove to an address in Mississauga, near Anson Drive and Torbram Road.
Four Toronto residents – Qlirim Halimi, 22, Adhurim Halimi, 20, Petar Kunic, 20, and Toma Qasha, 23 – were arrested at that location. They are each facing a slew of related charges. Qasha is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 16, while the other three have a March 2 court date.
On Jan. 7, police also arrested and charged Albin Gashi, 20, of Toronto. He has a Feb. 16 court date.
Earlier in the investigation, Bradley French, 22, and Rikardo Luzi, 21, both of Toronto, were also arrested and charged in connection with Project Taurus. French is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 2, while Luzi has an Aug. 11 court date.
One man, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, remains outstanding.
Tre Seaton, 20, of Toronto, is wanted for robbery with a firearm and disguise with intent.
Anyone with further information should contact police at 416-808-7350or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at 222tips.com.
Reference-www.thestar.com