Large-scale auto crime ring used Service Ontario and Ministry of Transportation ‘loopholes’: Police
Published March 19, 2024 at 5:08 pm
The sister of a man charged earlier this month with the illegal registration of more than 100 vehicles is now also facing charges in connection with what police allege is a large-scale car fraud ring operating out of Brampton and reaching into “multiple jurisdictions.”
Peel Regional Police said in a news release Tuesday afternoon that Commercial Auto Crime Bureau investigators arrested a Brampton woman on March 14 in relation to “an unlicensed car dealer and broker facilitating the sale and transfer of vehicles.”
On March 7, officers arrested Milton Hylton, 24, described at the time by police as being a “Peel resident.” He was charged with 168 auto crime offences.
Police believe that between June 2023 and early 2024, a man working with accomplices “made several fraudulent transactions through the Ministry of Transportation and Service Ontario (locations) across the province, with over 100 vehicles involved.”
Investigators further believe a suspect “utilized loopholes in the Service Ontario procedures” that allow “authorized” individuals to conduct third-party transactions to register a vehicle.
A number of vehicles that were illegally registered have been identified as “re-vinned” vehicles, police added. Re-vinning is a process in which stolen cars are illegally given new vehicle identification numbers.
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The investigation is ongoing and police say they anticipate additional arrests and charges.
“This is a large-scale crime affecting many vehicles in multiple jurisdictions across Ontario,” police said in the news release. “Investigators are appealing to the public for assistance in locating additional victims and vehicles.”
Monifa Taffe-Hylton, 25, of Brampton, was arrested last Thursday. She’s scheduled to appear in Brampton court at a later date to answer to 36 charges of uttering forged documents and trafficking of stolen goods, police said.
Police say they have contacted several victims, individuals and businesses who have had vehicles registered to their name without authorization. They’re urging anyone else with information, including those who’ve had business dealings with the suspects or a company known as Royalty in The Building, to call police.
The Peel police Commercial Auto Crime Bureau can be reached at 905-453-3311, ext. 3313, or via email at [email protected]. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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