Peel Regional Police arrests 15 people with auto-theft charges, recovers over $9 million of stolen vehicles

The Peel Regional Police on Tuesday announced that they have arrested 15 people, sharing 73 charges collectively, in a large investigation concerning auto-theft in the area.

Dubbed ‘Project Big Rig,’ the investigation was a collaboration between Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto and Halton Police.

Police said that the investigation resulted in the recovery of 28 cartons of stolen cargo, valued at $6.99 million.  An additional 28 stolen tractors and trailers were valued at $2.25 million, taking the total value of recovered automobiles at $9.24 million.

Alongside our partner agencies, we are dedicated to combatting commercial and auto theft crime. Project Big Rig is a testament to that dedication with over $9M in recovered vehicles and cargo. #ProjectBigRig @HaltonPolice @TorontoPolice @YRP @OPP_News pic.twitter.com/tWiRC9s70M

— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) August 15, 2023

From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto theft across the province, and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone, according to the government of Ontario’s website.

The provincial government, in May, announced an investment of $51 million in new measures to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks in order to combat auto theft.

“The success of Project Big Rig is just one example of the work our service and our partners are doing to combat auto crime and auto theft,” Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said.

Rahat Sandhu