More than 80 charges laid in $5.5M auto-theft probe: Niagara police

Niagara police charge 10 people in a multi-million dollar auto-theft investigation which spans much of the province.

Officers say $5.5 million in stolen property has been recovered and more than 80 charges have been laid.

The investigation started with the theft of a single Lexus SUV in April 2025 and spread to a network across southern Ontario.

Detectives say the Lexus theft led them to launch a broader investigation into more than 50 thefts and attempted thefts of newer model Lexus and Toyota vehicles in the Niagara region.

This led to the launch of what police call “Project Jack Links.”

Through the project, Niagara police found a network of “organized criminal groups involved in the theft and trafficking of high-end vehicles throughout the region.”

The network is believed to be behind 112 vehicle thefts in Niagara, Hamilton, Haldimand, Halton and Peel.

WATCH MORE: One dead, around 20 displaced in Niagara Falls apartment fire

Authorities say the groups work separately but with the same goal; target high-end vehicles for out-of-province transport where the vehicles will then be shipped overseas for resale.

Investigators believe the discovery will lead to further arrests linked to more than 100 additional vehicle thefts across Ontario, involving millions more in stolen property.

Officers have charged two 17-year-olds from St. Catharines with 11 counts related to auto-theft.

Additionally, 18-year-old Nemr Alawad and 23-year-old Farouk Alawad, both of Hamilton, have been charged with several counts related to organized auto theft and weapons possession.

Police have also charged 20-year-old Ryan Ramayah Permouloo of North Dumfries, Ont., 22-year-old Mamadi Kaba of Quebec and five additional boys between the ages of 16 and 17 in the investigation.

All the charges have yet to be proven in court.

Anyone who observes suspicious activity around cars or within their neighbourhood is asked to contact police immediately.

READ MORE: 2 from Niagara, 1 from Hamilton charged in $1.1 M illegal cannabis recovery