Police arrest three people linked to theft of nearly 50 vehicles in Niagara, GTA

Niagara police arrested three people from Hamilton Thursday connected to the theft of nearly 50 local vehicles and their export out of the country.

An investigation began in April when a 2024 Lincoln was reported stolen from the Niagara region, which was later recovered.

Detectives say suspects were using electronic devices to track, locate, and steal primarily Lexus and Toyota vehicles from people’s homes.

Const. Phil Gaven with Niagara Police told CHCH News the back windows of many vehicles were smashed for the suspects to gain access.

The vehicles were then moved out of the Niagara region into the Hamilton area and their factory-installed tracking devices were disabled.

Investigators say the stolen vehicles were then loaded onto a transport truck and moved to Montreal, before being loaded into shipping containers.

Those containers were placed onto cargo ships and transported to a major seaport in Iraq.

Niagara officers received help from several units during the investigation from Ontario and Quebec police services, including: the Ontario Provincial Police, Hamilton Police Service, the Canada Border Services Agency, and Service de police de la Ville de Montréal.

Police arrested three people from the Hamilton area believed to be connected to the theft of around 50 vehicles across Niagara and the Greater Toronto Area.

They executed five search warrants in the Hamilton area Thursday, seizing 20 stolen vehicles, $53,000 in currency, and an airsoft pistol.

18-year-old Abdulhamid Talip from Hamilton, and two 17-year-olds also from Hamilton were arrested and charged with offences related to vehicle thefts.

The three were held in custody pending a video bail hearing to a St. Catharines courthouse Friday.

“This investigation highlights the reach and sophistication of organized crime networks operating in our Region, the Province of Ontario, and beyond,” said Bill Fordy, the service chief of police with the Niagara Regional Police. “I commend our officers and our policing partners for their tireless efforts and shared commitment to the communities that we serve.”

“We recognize that while criminal networks may be active in one city, their operations often extend well beyond local borders,” said the acting chief of police Ryan Diodati with the Hamilton Police Service. “These focused, coordinated efforts are making a significant impact in disrupting and dismantling these organized networks.”

Police say that the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009346.

If anyone wants to provide information anonymously they can also contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online here, or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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