Organized auto theft trafficking project Heisenburg
(Ottawa) –The Ottawa Police Service Organized Auto Theft Section has charged two individuals involved in the trafficking of stolen vehicles.
In October of 2016, Investigators for the Organized Auto Theft Section launched an investigation into the trafficking of stolen vehicles in the city’s west end. Agencies involved in the “Project Heisenberg” with the Ottawa Police were the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, Service Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
The investigation revealed that the accused were in possession of, and had sold stolen vehicles. Buyers were told that the vehicles had no warranty, as they were test models or gift vehicles from manufacturers. These stolen vehicles were sold for a substantial discount using fraudulent bills of sale from legitimate out of province dealers. All vehicles had their true identity disguised and were fraudulently registered in Ontario.
The combined value of all vehicles seized exceeds half a million dollars.
Seized stolen re-vinned vehicles:
- 2016 Ford F-250 Lariat King Ranch
- 2016 Ford F-250 Lariat
- 2016 Toyota 4Runner Limited
- 2015 Toyota 4Runner Limited
- 2016 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD Duramax
- 2015 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD Duramax
Ferry Emile CAVE, 42 of Carleton Place, is charged with:
- Launder Proceeds of Canadian Crime x 5
- Traffic in Property obtained by crime exceeding $5000 x 4
- Possession of Property obtained by crime exceeding $5000 x 1
- Utter Forged documents x 10
Rodrigue LEONARD, 53 of Ottawa, is charged with:
- Launder Proceeds of Canadian Crime x 1
- Possession of Property obtained by crime exceeding $5000 x 1
- Utter Forged documents x 8
The investigation is ongoing. The Organized Auto Theft section would like to remind the public that it is truly buyer beware. Purchasing a vehicle through an Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) dealer, consumers enjoy a level of protection relating to the transaction. The benefits of purchasing from an OMVIC dealer are well documented on the OMVIC website. However, if you choose to purchase a vehicle from a private seller, OMVIC offers tips for buying a car privately.
If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Know that if you are found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle, it will be seized as stolen property by the police and returned to its rightful owner. The seizure of a vehicle can often create a second victim. In cases involving the unwitting purchase of a stolen vehicle, the purchaser is deprived of the vehicle and the monies paid for it, once the police or other law enforcement agency seizes the vehicle.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Ottawa Police’s Organized Auto Theft Section at 613-236-1222, ext. 3766.
Please support this newspaper and click the donate button below.