The Montreal Police Department (SPVM) arrested six men in their twenties on Thursday morning suspected of being part of a vehicle theft network operating throughout Montreal. This operation took place at a time when this type of crime has been on the decline since the beginning of the year.
The investigation opened at the end of May resulted in the recovery of 19 vehicles that had been stolen from the Montreal airport. These vehicles were then returned to their owners. In total, some thirty vehicles, mainly Toyota, Lexus and Jeep, were stolen for a market value of approximately $2.3 million.
Two of the suspects are already in custody on charges related to other cases. The other four are expected to appear this Friday at the Montreal courthouse. The entire group faces 176 charges, including motor vehicle theft, conspiracy and trafficking in stolen property.
According to the SPVM, the suspects “did not hesitate to make dangerous maneuvers” after stealing the vehicles, which could “put civilians and police officers at risk.” The investigation revealed that they themselves took charge of all stages of the trafficking, from the theft to the export of the vehicles.
In total, the operation mobilized around fifty police officers. It was made possible thanks to the collaboration during the investigation of the Longueuil Agglomeration Police Service, the Sûreté du Québec and Aéroports de Montréal.
Flights down since the beginning of the year
The SPVM has recorded a 30% drop in vehicle thefts since the beginning of the year. Between January and July 2024, 4,917 vehicles were reported stolen to law enforcement, compared to 6,914 for the same period last year.
The efforts of the police services made it possible to arrest no fewer than 538 people for vehicle theft in 2023, and 6,834 vehicles stolen in Montreal were found and returned to their owners.