In a significant crackdown on interprovincial car theft, a mixed task force involving the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Sûreté du Québec, and municipal police from Toronto and Montreal has successfully apprehended 34 suspects. The operation aims to curb the rampant theft of vehicles, primarily occurring between southern Ontario and the Port of Montreal.
The arrests were made as part of “Project Volcano,” a major interprovincial operation targeting individuals wanted in connection with auto theft incidents in Ontario dating back to March 2019. The majority of the arrests were carried out in Montreal between Tuesday and Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner Marty Kearns of the OPP revealed that an alarming 3,000 vehicles had been stolen in Ontario in just the past seven weeks, underscoring the severity of the issue. Since October 2023, 121 suspects have been arrested, 730 offenses recorded, and 157 vehicles recovered.
The gravity of the situation was further highlighted by OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique at a recent federal summit on car theft, where he stated that most stolen vehicles from Ontario end up at the Port of Montreal. These vehicles are then shipped overseas, fetching profits estimated between $60,000 and $80,000 per container, often selling for more than double their original value.
A report by the Équité Association, aiming to reduce and prevent insurance fraud and crime, revealed that insurers lost over $1 billion in stolen vehicles in 2022, marking a grim milestone in Canadian history. The report also noted double-digit increases in vehicle theft in provinces where data was available.
“Project Volcano” is an ongoing effort, and the public is urged to report any information related to auto theft or the whereabouts of wanted individuals to their local police service. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies demonstrate a commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of communities across provinces.
