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The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says 32 vehicles have been seized in what they are calling ‘Project Eleanor’.
With auto thefts on the rise, the HRPS, in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) formed Project Eleanor. It began in January. Over the span of several months, HRPS investigated thieves responsible for reprogramming theft and trafficking high end SUV’s and pickup trucks in Halton and throughout the GTA.
Through a variety of investigative means, several suspects were identified and the location of a shipping yard was discovered.
Over the course of two days, criminal code search warrants were executed at a residence in Toronto and a shipping yard in Mississauga.
As a result of Project Eleanor, 32 stolen vehicles were recovered worth an estimated $2.2 million. Investigators also located and seized $11,000 in Canadian currency, stolen property and technology used in reprogramming auto theft.
On January 8th, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
22-year-old Alexandre Doyon of Toronto:
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
22-year-old Konstantinos Sotiropoulos of Quebec
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
23-year-old Gustavo Salazar of Toronto
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
On April 23rd, the following individuals were arrested and charged.
22-year-old Alexandre Doyon of Toronto (re-arrested):
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Fraud Under $5000
A 19-year-old Toronto resident:
- Fraud Under $5000
Investigators continue to make efforts to arrest other individuals connected to the investigation.
For additional information on Project Eleanor, click here.
For tips on keeping your vehicle safe, click here.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2216.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
