Student visa holder wanted on border warrant among Brampton men charged in auto theft case

A Brampton man who was wanted on a Canada Border Services Agency warrant while in Canada on a student visa is among two men charged following an Oakville auto theft investigation.

Halton Regional Police say the arrests stem from “Project Disconnect,” an investigation launched earlier this year after officers identified a growing number of vehicle thefts and attempted thefts from hotel parking lots in Oakville.

Since Jan. 1, police have investigated 28 vehicle thefts and attempted thefts at hotel parking lots across the town.

On May 27, investigators responded to reports of two suspects attempting to steal a vehicle from a hotel parking lot. Police say officers moved in quickly and arrested both suspects despite alleged attempts to flee the scene.

Investigators also seized a stolen Dodge Durango that police allege the suspects used to travel to the location.

Jobanpreet Singh, 21, of Brampton has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a counterfeit mark, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of break-in instruments, four counts of possession of an automobile master key, two counts of possession of an electronic device suitable for committing motor vehicle theft and obstructing a peace officer.

Police say Singh was wanted on a Canada Border Services Agency warrant at the time of his arrest and was in Canada on a student visa.

A second Brampton man, Atish Singh, 26, faces charges including possession of property obtained by crime, possession of a counterfeit mark, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of break-in instruments, four counts of possession of an automobile master key and two counts of possession of an electronic device suitable for committing motor vehicle theft.

He has also been charged with flight from police, assault with a weapon, assault with intent to resist arrest, dangerous operation and disguise with intent.

Both accused were held in custody pending bail hearings in Milton.

Police say they recovered a stolen Dodge Durango, an onboard diagnostics (OBD) reader commonly used to reprogram vehicle systems, blank keys and break-and-enter tools.

Investigators say the investigation remains ongoing.