Theft ring targets vehicles parked in Holden Hotel bankrupt

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A car theft ring suspected of a vehicle that will be parked at the Oakville and Burlington hotels has been damaged.

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Holden area police announced Thursday that eight suspects – four suspects from the Greater Toronto area, four suspects from Montreal, were arrested, with 92 charges filed in the investigation.

Police added that the three suspects had previously released forms of similar criminal offenses.

The investigation, known as the Mulligan project, noted that in the fall of 2024, police noticed an increase in high-end car theft in hotel parking lots.

Police said in response, Holden’s organized crime department began a coordinated investigation and identified a group of car thieves operating primarily in the Holden and Peel areas.

Police added that officials from Peel and York area police also assisted in the investigation.

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During the investigation, police said detectives used several investigative techniques to identify areas where the stolen vehicles were “calm”. Police also identified locations for storage, loading and transferring to various transport points in the GTA and Montreal.

On February 20, members of the Organized Crime Department, Drug Department and Street Crime Department executed 10 search warrants on GTA’s vehicles, storage facilities and residences, police said. The seized items include automatic theft tools, a reprogramming kit and a BMW with a change of its vehicle identification number.

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Investigators believe that since September 2024, the suspects have been responsible for more than 75 vehicle thefts.

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Police said a total of 18 stolen vehicles have been found and recovered so far, two of which were found in the transport containers at the port of Montreal.

Luis Bello-Reyes, 29, was charged with 16 counts of property acquisition, more than $5,000 for crimes, 14 counts of stealing motor vehicles, trafficking stolen property, possessing electronic equipment for car theft, possessing damaged and input tools, and in line with a promise.

Mississauga, 25, Amir Habibzai, was charged with a $11 crime, over $5,000, stealing 10 cars, trafficking property, and failing to keep a promise.

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Furkan Ari, 22, of Toronto, was charged with seven counts of property and six counts of theft for more than $5,000.

Dmytro Aref’yev, 34, Yekta Isik, 30, Fatima Salame, 25, and Tanbir Islam, 28, all from Montreal, were charged with obtaining $5,000 in property for a $5,000 crime, fraudulent use of a credit card, possessing a forged trademark and device possessing a forged mark, and possessing identification documents.

Islam is also accused of failing to comply when issuing orders.

Pierre Bytion, 30, of Toronto, was charged with failing to comply with a promise.

“The increase in automatic theft and its related crimes is the most concerned issue and remains a top priority for the Holden Regional Police Department,” Supt said.

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“Automatic thieves continue to incorporate various technologies to implement these thefts, while using various strategies to avoid discovery and arrest. This latest investigation is an example of our commitment to combat these organized criminals and take responsibility.”

Police said Bello-Reyes and Habibzai were denied bail and remained in custody while awaiting trial.

Authorities require anyone with information about this investigation to call the Organized Crime Department at 905-825-4777. 7006, submit a prompt to the crime blocker anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477 (tip) or online haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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