WARMINGTON: Peel cops bust four accused in $10-M car theft ring (2024)

Turns out, 15 was not a lucky number for an alleged car thief.

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Or for his fellow accused.

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While Gone in 60 Seconds may be what car thieves are used to, alleged members of an auto theft ring busted by Peel Regional Police could face years in prison if they’re convicted.

This accused car thief allegedly stole so many cars, it is believed he lost track of just how many.

Peel Regional Police say they kept track, though.

And officers caught up with 29-year-old Mississauga resident Altayeb Brafcany and charged him with 15 counts of theft of a motor vehicle.

That’s right, 15 cars. Police alleged he was in possession of six of them when arrested.

The bust was part of Peel Police’s Project R&R which was conducted with the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Port of Montreal and Equite Association. Four men now face serious charges in an alleged $10-million auto theft ring.

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“The results of Project R&R demonstrate that organized auto theft is a priority for Peel Regional Police. In addition to the nearly 2,400 stolen vehicles recovered in 2022, our officers have recovered over 500 vehicles in the first two months of this year,” Chief Nishan Duraiappah told a packed news conference, which included Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Peel police board Chair Ron Catha.

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Peel police say Insp. Tom Warfield and his Project R&R team — Det. Trevor Oldham, and Det.-Consts. Andrew Martins, Dustin Shaw, Adam Da Ponte, Justin Wall, Tom McLean, Laura Taggart, Erin Korslick and Cooper Giles — identified a group “actively stealing vehicles and then identified shipping and loading locations.” He added they intercepted cars “secured within containers and transported by truck or train to the Port of Montreal to be exported overseas,” heading for “Montreal, Germany, and Spain” and “the United Arab Emirates.”

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Duraiappah added: “Canada has become a source for organized auto crime. The dedication of our officers as seen here today, combined with increased collaboration, enhanced enforcement and greater awareness, will continue to make an impact in combatting auto theft.”

This was one heck of a project led by 11 Division. There were seven search warrants executed over the months-long investigation which saw four people arrested, 25 containers stopped, and the seizure of 78 vehicles, money, cocaine, ammunition and a stolen ramp.

“It is alleged that the group targeted specific vehicles at various locations, including Pearson International Airport. Methods of theft included targeted underground parking garages and residential neighborhoods at night while victims slept,” said police.

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Charged along with Brafcany are: Imad Assi, 29, of Mississauga; Ref’At Faris Mustafa Khatabeh, 44, of North York; and Michael Zureiqat, 48, of Aurora.

All are charged with possession of property obtained by crime. Assi faces additional charges of theft of a motor vehicle and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Zureiqat faces an additional charge of failing to comply with a release order.

The charges have not been tested in court. All four have been released on bail.

With car theft and carjackings being such an enormous problem for the GTA, it’s not easy for police to stay ahead of criminals that take vehicles from hard-working people.

They can’t stop them all, but Peel police say they put the brakes on this prolific group.

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