Halton police bust car theft ring, eight arrested

Halton police have arrested eight people and laid over 90 criminal charges in connection to an investigation into an auto theft ring.

The investigation – dubbed Project Mulligan – began in response to an increase in high end car thefts from hotel lots in Oakville and Burlington.

Police were able to identify an organized group of car thieves, who they believe are responsible for over 75 thefts since September 2024.

So far, only 18 of the stolen vehicles have been recovered – two of which were found in shipping containers at the Port of Montreal.

After executing a series of search warrants on storage facilities, homes and cars throughout the GTA, police found auto theft tools, reprogramming kits and a re-vinned BMW.

Investigators believe the group shipped the stolen vehicles throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal.

Police have arrested and charged the following individuals:

Luis Bello-Reyes (29) of Etobicoke

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (16 Counts)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle (14 Counts)
• Trafficking Stolen Property
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking
• Possession of Electronic Device for the Purpose of Committing Motor Vehicle Theft
• Possess Break and Enter Tools

Amir Habibzai (25) of Mississauga

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (11 Counts)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle (10 Counts)
• Trafficking Stolen Property
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking

Furkan Ari (22) of Toronto

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (7 Counts)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle (6 Counts)

Dmytro Aref’yev (34) of Montreal, Quebec

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
• Possession of Instruments for Forgery
• Possess Counterfeit Mark
• Possess Identity Documents

Yekta Isik (30) of Montreal, Quebec:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
• Possession of Instruments for Forgery
• Possess Counterfeit Mark
• Possess Identity Documents

Tanbir Islam (28) of Montreal, Quebec:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
• Possession of Instruments for Forgery
• Possess Counterfeit Mark
• Possess Identity Documents
• Fail to Comply – Being on a Release Order

Fatima Salame (25) of Montreal, Quebec

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
• Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
• Possession of Instruments for Forgery
• Possess Counterfeit Mark
• Possess Identity Documents

Pierre Bytion (30) of Toronto:

• Fail to Comply with Undertaking

At the time of the arrest, Bello-Reyes, Habibzai and Bytion were all on prior forms of release for similar criminal charges.

All eight people were held in custody pending their bail hearings in Milton.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators with the Organized Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 7006.

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