IN March, a joint task force was formed to investigate a prolific series of tractor trailer and cargo thefts in Peel and across the Greater Toronto Area. The investigation dubbed Project Big Rig resulted in the disruption of the criminal ring and led to the arrests of several individuals responsible for theft of tractor trailers and cargo.
The investigation also led to awareness for a number of unsuspecting customers who were buying stolen products.
Project Big Rig resulted in:
- Total of 15 arrests with 73 charges laid.
- Recovery of $6,990,000 of stolen cargo.
- Recovery of $2,250,000 in value of stolen tractor trailers.
- Total value of $9,240,000 in property recovered.
“Cargo and auto theft is not a victimless crime. It hurts people, inflicts financial harm and often leads to the funding of other criminal activity,” said Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich on Wednesday. “Project Big Rig is an example of our efforts to hold the individuals accountable who victimize our communities and residents. Let this be a reminder to all the criminal networks that we will continue to disrupt criminality of any kind.”
This investigation was made possible through the funding provided by the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO), and in collaboration with Halton Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Équité Association and the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC.)
An estimated $1.8 billion worth of goods travel through the Region of Peel every day, making it the largest cargo hub in Canada. Peel Regional Police, alongside partnering agencies, continues to invest and enhance measures to disrupt cargo and auto theft.
Milinovich said: “We will continue to diligently investigate, arrest and lay charges against those responsible for theft of vehicles, cargo and any other criminal activity.”
Peel Regional Police have arrested and charged the following 15 individuals in through Project Big Rig:
* Balkar Singh, 42, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
* Ajay Ajay, 26, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
* Manjeet Padda, 40, with possession of property obtained by crime.
* Jagjeevan Singh, 25, with possession of property obtained by crime (two counts) and breach of recognizance (two counts).
* Amandeep Baidwan, 41, with possession of property obtained by crime (four counts), fail to comply with release order, and breach of probation.
* Karamshand Singh, 58, with possession of property obtained by crime, and trafiicking in stolen goods.
* Jasvinder Atwal, 45, with possession of property obtained by crime, fail to comply with release order (two counts), and operation while prohibited.
* Lakhvir Singh, 45, with possession of property obtained by crime, and mischief over $5,000.
* Jagpal Singh, 34, is charged with break, enter and commit an indictable offence (two counts); theft of motor vehicle; and theft over $5,000.
* Upkaran Sandhu, 31, is charged with break, enter and commit an indictable offence; and possession of property obtained by crime.
* Sukhvinder Singh, 44, is charged with possession of property obtained by crime (two counts) and fail to comply with undertaking (two counts).
* Kulvir Bains, 39, is charged with theft of motor vehicle (three counts) andtheft of over $5,000 (three counts).
* Banishidar Lalsaran, 39, is charged with theft of motor vehicle (two counts).
* Shobit Verma, 23, is charged with theft of motor vehicle.
* Sukhninder Dhillon, 34, is charged with break and enter commit an indictable offence, theft of motor vehicle (four counts), theft of over $5,000 (four counts), possession of property obtained by crime, theft of mail, operation while prohibited (two counts), and fail to comply with release order.
