Hamilton Police crackdown on car thefts results in 33 arrests, 157 charges
Published March 9, 2022 at 11:52 am
A Hamilton Police Services initiative launched in January 2022 with the goal of cracking down on car thefts in the city has resulted in the arrest of 33 people.
In a press release issued Wednesday (March 9), police said the large-scale investigation, aptly dubbed ‘Project Hot Wheels’, was launched after a noted 46 per cent increase in stolen vehicles in 2021.
The operation was undertaken in partnership with the Halton Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Police, Ontario’s Vehicle Sales Regulator (OMVIC), The Insurance Bureau of Canada, Équité Association and City of Hamilton Bylaw.
Police said they relied on intelligence-led policing, analytics on repeat offenders, known target vehicles and hot spot theft areas to conduct the extensive investigation.
As a result, police made 33 arrests, laid 157 charges and executed five warrants. Investigators were able to recover 32 stolen vehicles, and they seized stolen property, three firearms, ammunition, $9,416.20 in Canadian Currency and approximately $93,000 in illicit drugs.
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In total, $508,000 worth of stolen vehicles were recovered during Project Hot Wheels.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information that could assist is asked to contact Acting Sergeant Brian Wren of the Division Two Crime Managers Office at 905.546.2948.
To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online.
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