Halton police arrest four people in two GTHA auto theft investigations

Halton police have arrested four people in connection with two separate auto theft investigations launched this year.

The first investigation, dubbed “Project Joker,” began in April 2026 after a Lexus SUV was stolen from the Bronte GO Station parking lot.

Investigators soon identified two suspects they believed to be members of an organized crime group based out of Quebec.

A rental vehicle associated with the suspects was identified and subsequently placed under surveillance.

Authorities then observed the suspects stealing and attempting to steal vehicles in Oakville and Mississauga.

On May 22, officers arrested 27-year-old Dany Hamel-Poirier and 20-year-old Damian Daneau – both residents of Montreal.

At the time of Hamel-Poirier’s arrest, he was wanted by multiple police services across Ontario and Quebec in connection with approximately 40 criminal charges – some auto theft related.

Authorities say Hamel-Poirier is also on probation for auto theft convictions. He also has multiple release orders in Quebec for auto theft related charges.

As a result, Halton police have charged Hamel-Poirier with the following:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle (three counts)
• Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (three counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order (three counts)
• Disguise with Intent

Damian Daneau is facing the following charges:

• Theft of Motor Vehicle (three counts)
• Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 (four counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking (eight counts)

Investigators expect more charges to be laid. They also believe the two men are responsible for more than 100 vehicle thefts throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).

Halton police recovered three stolen vehicles during the course of the investigation.

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The second probe, called “Project Disconnect,” began in early 2026 when authorities identified an increasing trend of vehicle thefts at hotels in Oakville.

Since Jan. 1, officers have investigated 28 thefts and attempted thefts from hotel parking lots across the city.

On May 27, police responded to two suspects trying to steal a vehicle from a hotel parking lot and arrested the pair. Authorities also seized a stolen Dodge Durango the suspects arrived in.

As a result, 21-year-old Jobanpreet Singh of Brampton has been charged with the following offences:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of Counterfeit Mark
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Break-In Instruments
• Possession of Automobile Master Key (four counts)
• Possession of Electronic Device Suitable for Committing Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
• Obstruct Peace Officer

According to police, Jobanpreet was wanted on a Canada Border Services Agency warrant at the time of his arrest. He was also in Canada on a student visa.

Atish Singh, 26, of Brampton has been charged with the following:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of Counterfeit Mark
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Break-In Instruments
• Possession of Automobile Master Key (four counts)
• Possession of Electronic Device Suitable for Committing Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
• Flight from Police
• Assault with a Weapon
• Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest
• Dangerous Operation
• Disguise with Intent

Officers seized a stolen Dodge Durango and recovered an onboard diagnostics reader which is commonly used to reprogram vehicles, blank keys and break-and-enter tools.

Investigators believe the pair are responsible for several auto thefts throughout the Halton region.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2216.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or via their website.

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