Toronto, Ontario — Last week, Toronto police announced that 59 suspects are facing charges in response to an auto theft and re-vinning probe that included more than 300 stolen vehicles.
As noted by CP24, the results of the investigation, dubbed “Project Thoroughbred,” were announced at a news conference in Toronto, led by city police.
Additionally, the police involved claimed that the investigation was first launched in July and since then, has led to the recovery of 363 stolen vehicles, valued at approximately $14 million.
Within this investigation, involved parties identified that officers uncovered an alleged “scheme” that further included Service Ontario employees who were registering fake Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and applying them to legitimate licence plates.
These vehicles were then sold as correct and “properly plated” vehicles, said police.
CP24 news further highlighted how, to date, there are currently no Service Ontario employees among the 59 people who have been charged as part of the investigation.
Stolen vehicles were also recovered from shipping containers that were meant to be shipped overseas.
Finally, police said that “Project Thoroughbred,” which was funded in part by the Ontario government’s Ministry of the Solicitor General, is an ongoing investigation with more changes anticipated in the future.
