Three more arrests made in Laval vehicle theft ring
Posted July 17, 2023 1:36 pm.
Last Updated July 17, 2023 1:38 pm.
The Laval police force have made three additional arrests in a vehicle theft ring.
This is the second wave of arrests by the Laval police force’s major crime unit in connection to the theft and export of vehicles. Six other individuals were arrested in connection to the investigation on December 16, 2022.
The investigation dubbed “Project Gadget” began in October 2022 when the Laval police force discovered a crime scheme where vehicles were stolen from various commercial parking lots in Laval and the North Shore, the vehicles targeted were mainly Dodge Rams and Dodge Grand Caravans.
In a press release, the Laval police force specifies that new investigative elements have linked three suspects to several fraud and trafficking cases involving property obtained by crime.
RELATED
Vehicle theft soared in 2022, led by Quebec and Ontario: report
The three suspects were arrested on July 11 and face charges of fraud over $5,000 and receiving stolen goods over $5,000.
Frédéric Caron, 38, remains in custody following his arrest. His accomplices, Olena Smagliuk, 34, and Tania Nadon-Contant, 30, were released with conditions following their court appearances.
Three suspects were arrested on July 11 and face charges of fraud over $5,000 and receiving stolen goods over $5,000. Frédéric Caron, 38, remains in custody following his arrest. His accomplices, Olena Smagliuk, 34, and Tania Nadon-Contant, 30, were released with conditions following their court appearances. (Courtesy Laval Police)
Using false identities from Ontario, the suspects allegedly sold stolen Dodge Grand Caravans, modified as campers or as vehicles adapted for transporting people with reduced mobility, via classified ad websites such as Marketplace and Kijiji.
The value of the frauds to date is estimated at around $150,000, and a total of ten vehicles worth almost $400,000 have been recovered.
The first phase of Project Gadget resulted in the recovery of 37 vehicles, a boat, a jet ski and trailers worth just over two million dollars.
The Laval police force have shared this website to help individuals protect themselves before buying a used vehicle.
Anyone with information about this operation, or in connection with vehicle theft, can call the confidential Info-Police Line at 450 662-INFO (4636) or dial 911 and mention file LVL 220706-054.
