Dozens of Quebec residents who thought they were safe from Ontario justice had a very unpleasant surprise this week: an operation by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Montreal City Police Service ( SPVM) aimed at cracking down on vehicle thieves resulted in 34 arrests.
“The OPP realized that several of the subjects wanted for car theft on their territory live in Montreal. We quickly coordinated a large-scale operation to repatriate them to Ontario,” summarizes David Shane, inspector with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
Operation Volcano targeted nearly sixty people accused of various offenses related to car theft in Ontario. All are residents of Quebec who did not show up for their appearance. “So they were a bit on the run. They did not think that the Ontario police would come to pick them up from their home,” summarizes the inspector.
The project, which lasted three days, aimed to deter vehicle theft rings that think they are flying under the radar. “Crime has no borders. But the police have no borders either. It really gave a shockwave to those who thought they were fleeing Ontario justice,” continues David Shane.
There are people suspected of theft among those arrested, but also people suspected of being sponsors in the illegal trade in stolen vehicles. “There really are criminals at all levels. »
Eleven people on the suspect list were already detained and nine were arrested in connection with other crimes before the operation began. In total, the OPP indicated that it had arrested 31 people. The three others were arrested by the SPVM.
The authorities have created a stir among vehicle thieves, dispelling the feeling of impunity present among some.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
David Shane
These people talk to each other. And the disruption we have caused in these networks is unprecedented.
David Shane, SPVM inspector
Quebec thieves in Ontario
It is not uncommon for Quebec residents to be charged with vehicle theft in the neighboring province. According to David Shane, cars are easier to steal in Ontario because anti-theft devices are less common there. These make the task of thieves more difficult, in addition to making it easier to spot a stolen car.
In Quebec, insurers require reliable security and tracking systems. It makes the difference.
David Shane, SPVM inspector
The Volcano project is a good example of collaboration between two police forces to combat the phenomenon of vehicle theft, which has been on the rise across Canada in recent years, said the SPVM inspector.
As the suspects arrested are people already charged in Ontario for various offenses related to vehicle theft, they remain detained for the moment.
OPP Deputy Commissioner for Investigations and Organized Crime Marty Kearns said nearly 3,000 vehicles have been stolen in the past seven weeks in Ontario.
Mr. Kearns told a news conference Friday that police are concerned about how quickly criminals are able to steal cars using various methods to circumvent anti-theft technology.
With The Canadian Press