Police link Brampton suspects to string of vehicle thefts across Halton Region

A months-long auto theft investigation in Halton Region has resulted in five arrests, dozens of charges and an outstanding warrant after police tracked suspects to a residence in Brampton.

The investigation began in mid-March after a vehicle was stolen from the driveway of a home in Milton. Halton Regional Police said the victim’s wallet had been left inside the vehicle and bank cards were later used at a fast-food restaurant elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area.

As investigators followed the trail, they identified multiple suspects and linked them to a Brampton residence.

On April 1, members of the Halton Regional Police Service’s 1 District Auto Team executed search warrants at the Brampton home and an associated vehicle. Four suspects were arrested at the scene.

Police seized a number of items allegedly connected to vehicle thefts, including vehicle reprogramming devices, magnetic tracking devices, blank key fobs, break-and-enter tools, cellphones, fraudulent identification and medication believed to have been obtained through fraud.

Investigators later determined the group was connected to 13 vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in Halton Region, along with another theft in Waterloo Region. Most of the incidents occurred during March.

Charged are Aderyen Hadjarab, 29, of Montreal; Zineddine Naas-Arabas, 22, of Montreal; Ahmad Fares, 33, of Laval, Que.; Rayan Cherchar, 20, of Mississauga; and Mecipssa Ikkene, 23, of L’Assomption, Que.

Police said the charges include vehicle theft, possession of tools and electronic devices used in vehicle thefts, identity-related offences, credit card offences and breaches of court-ordered release conditions. Hadjarab faces the largest number of charges, with police alleging he committed 45 offences. Several of the accused were already on release orders when they were arrested.

A sixth suspect, Hamza Diazali, 20, of Laval, Que., is wanted on 25 charges, including multiple counts of motor vehicle theft and breaching probation conditions.

All five accused who have been arrested were held for bail hearings in Milton.

“Organized auto theft is a crime that impacts our community on multiple levels and remains a priority issue for our police service,” Det. Sgt. Kevin Magee, manager of the 1 District Criminal Investigation Bureau, said in a statement.

“Investigations such as Project Steel demonstrate our ongoing commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting our residents. We will continue to leverage every available resource to disrupt criminal activity, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable before the courts.”