A pair of Halton Regional Police investigations have led to multiple arrests and dozens of charges in what police describe as a significant disruption of organized auto theft networks operating throughout Halton and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
The investigations, dubbed Project Joker and Project Disconnect, targeted separate groups allegedly involved in vehicle thefts across the region.
Project Joker began in April after a Lexus SUV was stolen from the Bronte GO Station parking lot in Oakville. Investigators identified two suspects believed to be connected to an organized crime group based in Quebec.
Police allege the suspects used a rental vehicle while carrying out vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in Oakville and Mississauga. On Friday, May 22nd, officers arrested 27-year-old Dany Hamel-Poirier and 20-year-old Damian Daneau, both of Montreal.
According to police, Hamel-Poirier was already wanted by several police services in Ontario and Quebec in connection with approximately 40 criminal charges, including auto theft offences, and was subject to probation and release orders related to previous auto theft convictions.
Hamel-Poirier has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (three counts)
- Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (three counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order (three counts)
- Disguise with Intent
Daneau has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (three counts)
- Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (four counts)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking (eight counts)
“The fact that these individuals are allegedly linked to more than 100 vehicle thefts, while already facing numerous criminal charges and subject to release orders, should be concerning to everyone,” says Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner. “Auto theft is not a victimless property crime. It is driven by organized criminal networks that profit at the expense of our communities and undermine public safety.”
In a separate investigation known as Project Disconnect, police focused on a rise in vehicle thefts from hotel parking lots in Oakville. So far in 2026, officers have investigated at least 28 thefts and attempted thefts at hotels throughout the town.
On Wednesday, May 27th, investigators responded to a report of suspects attempting to steal a vehicle from a hotel parking lot. Officers arrested two men after they allegedly attempted to flee the scene and seized a stolen Dodge Durango.
21-year-old Jobanpreet Singh of Brampton has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Counterfeit Mark
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Break-In Instruments
- Possession of Automobile Master Key (four counts)
- Possession of Electronic Device Suitable for Committing Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
- Obstruct Peace Officer
At the time of his arrest, Jobanpreet Singh was wanted on a Canada Border Services Agency warrant and was in Canada on a student visa.
26-year-old Atish Singh of Brampton has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Possession of Counterfeit Mark
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Break-In Instruments
- Possession of Automobile Master Key (four counts)
- Possession of Electronic Device Suitable for Committing Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
- Flight from Police
- Assault with a Weapon
- Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
- Dangerous Operation
- Disguise with Intent
Both accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.
Investigators also recovered an onboard diagnostics (OBD) reader commonly used to reprogram vehicles, blank keys and other break-and-enter tools. Police believe the suspects may be connected to additional vehicle thefts throughout the region.
Anyone with information regarding either investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 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 submit a tip online.
