Hamilton Police Service Newsroom

Hamilton Police Arrest Two for Auto Theft

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:40:00 -0400

Hamilton Police have arrested two people in connection with auto thefts across Hamilton.

In June 2024, Hamilton Police entered into an investigation involving stolen vehicles from dealerships across Hamilton. During the thefts, the suspect disguised his identity and provided the dealerships with fraudulent identification. The suspect would arrange to test drive or request to look at the vehicles. Once the suspect obtained the keys and the sales associates were distracted, he would flee the dealership in the vehicles.

Through investigation and collaboration with other police services, Hamilton Police were able to identify the suspect. He was arrested at his residence, along with his girlfriend, on July 11, 2024. Arshdeep Gill and Navdeep Kaur are facing the following charges:

Arshdeep Gill

Theft of Motor Vehicle x3
Possession of Stolen Property x4
Fraudulently Personate Another Person x2
Fail to Comply Release Order x19

Navdeep Kaur was charged with Possession of Stolen Property.

Before being apprehended by Hamilton Police, Gill was already facing 19 charges of failing to comply with his probation.

If you have any information on these incidents, please contact the Break, Enter and Auto Theft Unit at 905-540-6339. To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

Project Grizzly Sees 200 Charges, 19 Stolen Vehicles Recovered and More

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 18:52:30 -0400

Hamilton Police have arrested 28 individuals after a one-month investigation into criminal activity involving stolen vehicles and more. The investigation, dubbed Project Grizzly was conducted in partnership with Equite Association, the former Insurance Bureau of Canada and The Niagara Police Service.

In May 2022, Hamilton Police launched an investigation into an organized vehicle theft ring.

The project took place at various locations in the Hamilton and Niagara Region.

Last week investigators completed the project. Investigators seized 19 stolen vehicles, a large amount of illicit drugs and two loaded firearms.

Hamilton Police report the following statistics from Project Grizzly:

The Equite Association estimates auto thefts cost Canadians close to $1 billion yearly, including $542 million for insurers to fix or replace stolen vehicles, $250 million in police, health care and court system costs and millions more for correctional services.

The investigation is ongoing, if you have any information that you believe could assist police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Sean Woodard by calling 905-546-3820 or Acting Detective Sergeant George Gallant at 905-540-5085.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

Stolen Vehicles, Firearms and Illicit Drugs Recovered in Project Hot Wheels

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 11:20:01 -0500

Hamilton Police have arrested 33 individuals in response to a rise in stolen vehicles during Project Hot Wheels which launched in January of 2022.

In the last year Hamilton Police have seen an increase of 46 per cent in relation to stolen automobiles within our city. During Project Hot Wheels Hamilton Police joined local partners, The Halton Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Ontario’s Vehicle Sales Regulator (OMVIC), The Insurance Bureau of Canada, Équité Association and City of Hamilton Bylaw in efforts to combat automobile theft.

Through various techniques such as utilizing intelligence led policing, analytics on repeat offenders, known target vehicles and hot spot theft areas, Hamilton Police were able to share and gather information that led to the arrest of offenders.

During Project Hot Wheels investigators made 33 arrests, laid 157 charges, executed five warrants, recovered 32 stolen vehicles, stolen property, three firearms, ammunition, $9,416.20 in Canadian Currency and seized approximately $93,000 in illicit drugs.

A total of $508,000 in stolen vehicles were recovered during Project Hot Wheels.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates auto thefts cost Canadians close to $1 billion yearly, including $542 million for insurers to fix or replace stolen vehicles, $250 million in police, health care and court system costs and millions more for correctional services.

The investigation is ongoing, should you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into these crimes, you are asked to contact Acting Sergeant Brian Wren of the Division Two Crime Managers Office at 905-546-2948

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

Project Seagull Targets Organized Auto Theft Ring

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 10:35:00 -0500

Hamilton Police have arrested four individuals after a four-month investigation into criminal activity involving the exportation of stolen vehicles out of Canada. The investigation, dubbed Project Seagull, was conducted in partnership with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In August 2019, Hamilton Police Service launched an investigation on a Hamilton male who was heavily involved in organized auto theft and exporting stolen vehicles out of Canada. Operating out of Hamilton, the organized auto theft ring involved local auto sales businesses. Investigators believe the group has been involved in over 39 vehicle thefts with a value in excess of $1,600,000 million. To date, investigators have recovered seven stolen vehicles bound for Iraq and believe many more have been shipped.

On December 5, 2019, Hamilton Police executed warrants on six local businesses and three residences. During the warrants, police seized 12 stolen vehicles, numerous vehicle parts, cash, gold jewellery and other suspected stolen items, as well as car keys and fobs. In addition, there were numerous fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers, shipping documents and stolen Mexican passports.

Warrants were executed at the following businesses:

401 Parkdale Ave North - Quanset Hut
119 Parkdale Avenue North - Zara Auto Sales
6 Macallum St - AB Auto Recyclers and Dealer Exports
521 Wentworth St N - gated/storage compound
15 Wentworth St N - Mr. Temo Auto Repairs & Cars-X Auto Sales
684 Mud St - Stoney Creek Airport - two leased hangers

Hamilton Police have charged the following individuals:

Yehia AL-JBOURI (50-years-old)

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X 28
Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime X 12
Fraud Over X 1
Fraudulent Concealment X 4
Tamper with Vehicle Identification Number X 6
Conspiracy to Commit X 1
Participate in activities of a criminal organization

Zeyad AL-KHAFAJI (45-years-old)

Fraud Over x 1
Fraudulent Concealment X 1
Conspiracy to Commit X 1
Participate in activities of a criminal organization

Amer AL-OGAILI (46-years-old)

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x 13
Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime x 4
Fraudulent Concealment x 3
Tamper with Vehicle Identification Number X 5
Participate in activities of a criminal organization

Nahla KHAYON (46-years-old)

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X 1

All three males were released on their own recognizance and their first court appearance is January 6, 2020. The female has been released on a Promise to Appear, with a future court date of January 21, 2020.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending. If you have any information that you believe could assist Police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Andrea Torrie at 905-546-2991.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.