Arrest made, property seized after Halton police bust Burlington chop shop
Published September 23, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Halton police recovered more than $350,000 in what they believe are stolen car parts after busting a suspect chop shop in Burlington earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, officers with the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau executed a search warrant at Empire Auto Parts on Brant St.
Since then, investigators, with the assistance of Equite Association (formerly Insurance Bureau of Canada), have spent three days combing through the large, two-story warehouse to identify stolen parts and vehicles.
Approximately 70 stolen vehicles have been identified through engines, transmissions, hoods and doors.
All identifiable vehicle parts have been seized and transported to a secure location.
The estimated value of parts seized is $350,000 and the value of the original stolen vehicles is more than $2.5 million.
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- Police seized the following stolen property:
- 28 fully intact, high end vehicle engines
- 15 vehicle transmissions
- 16 sets of vehicle doors
- 19 vehicle hoods
- A stolen skid steer
Ismet Bajcinca, 43 of Hamilton was arrested and has been charged with possessing and trafficking in stolen property, tampering with a Vehicle Identification Number and possession of a controlled substance.
Bajcinca was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at the website.
