Project Phoenix disrupts car thieves with 75 vehicles recovered

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 12, 2023  1:00 pm

(Ottawa) – In January 2023, the Ottawa Police Service commenced “Project Phoenix” with the aim of identifying, disrupting and dismantling groups participating in organized auto-theft in response to the increasing rates of organized vehicle theft.

A team of investigators from Central/East/West Criminal Investigations and the Traffic Unit worked on the initiative that concluded July 3rd, resulting in: 

• To date, 8 persons are facing a total of 67 criminal charges including Motor vehicle theft, Possession of stolen property over $5000, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and others.
• The accused include two Ottawa and two Gatineau residents as well as four persons from the Montreal area.
• In total, 75 vehicles have been recovered through Project Phoenix by Ottawa Police and partner police agencies across the Province and beyond, to date.
• Two shipments of stolen vehicles were intercepted in transit to Montreal where it was anticipated they would be exported via the Montreal port.
• 22 expert vehicle examinations were conducted in order to ascertain the true identity of the stolen vehicles that now had fraudulent Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
• Close to 200 vehicles were identified as “re-vinned” vehicles. Their recovery continues.
• The combined value of the 75 recovered vehicles is estimated to be in excess of 3 million dollars.
• Recovered vehicles included highly sought after vehicles such as Honda CRV’s, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wranglers and other luxury vehicles.

“Not every stolen car is destined to be exported,” said Staff Sergeant Cathy Brown, with the Serious & Organized Crime Directorate of the Ottawa Police Service. “Some stolen vehicles are re-vinned with a fraudulent VIN, and then get used by organized crime domestically.”

The compared year-to-date numbers in 2022 and 2023 for stolen cars that are believed to be connected to Organized Auto Theft in Ottawa show a 30% increase to date:

• January 1 to June 30, 2022 - 387
• January 1 to June 30, 2023 - 504

Project Phoenix was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario. Investigative and operational support was provided by partner agencies including CBSA, OPP, Gatineau PS, Montreal PS, Laval PS, Toronto PS, York Regional PS, Peel Regional PS, Durham Regional PS, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Équité Association.

“Organized Auto Theft is transient in nature, as such the partnerships developed to combat it are invaluable and remain our greatest asset,” added Staff Sergeant Brown.

Please visit our website for tips to protect your vehicle from theft.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca. 

 Photo Gallery: 2023-07 Phoenix news release photos will appear here on the public site.

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Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366