Carjacked vehicles surreptitiously transported in camper trailer

Article content

To others on the road, these travellers would appear to be campers with an RV trailer.

Article content

It’s proof that in the crime world, though, looks can be deceiving.

The RV in question was allegedly used for a fishing trip to steal fine cars from the GTA while appearing to be on holiday time.

The “Algerian nationals” arrested or being hunted were not in Canada for holidays but to allegedly stock up on stolen cars, according to police.

Their so-called vacation is over.

Halton Regional Police have claimed they busted an international car theft transportation operation that allowed the movement of stolen vehicles out of the area — right under the nose of the public. 

It is very possible that RV trailer you were stuck behind on Hwy. 401 this summer could have been used for more than fun. In fact, it may have been utilized to get stolen vehicles out of the Greater Toronto Area and down to the Port of Montreal without anybody suspecting anything. 

Article content

That is until police involved in Project Ninja allegedly parked this phony camping trip for good. 

Article content

Article content

“On August 24, 2024, HRPS officers arrested three suspects in relation to the investigation,” said Halton Police Wednesday. “A Criminal Code search warrant was subsequently executed for a short-term rental in Oshawa, where additional evidence was located and seized.”  A fourth person is also charged.

Included in the seizure was “a large Toy Hauler RV that was used to conceal and transport the stolen vehicles,”  said police.

A Toy Hauler? 

Photographer Jack Boland and I heard about this great bust and were wondering what a Toy Hauler is?

Recommended video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

We have now learned, and police say it was a pretty ingenious way to stealthily get stolen cars and pickup trucks to illegal markets abroad. 

According to Thor Industries, there are several manufacturers of this great product. 

Article content

“Available as Class A, Class C, travel trailers, or fifth wheels, toy haulers give you a place to live and a place for your toys, including dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs, kayaks, and more. Many people think of toy haulers as the wild-child of the RV world. While the toy haulers originated as a mobile man-cave, complete with diamond-plated walls, this popular RV type has evolved into much more. Today, you might want to think of toy haulers as open-concept living spaces with multi-purpose utility.” 

Article content

It seems those allegedly involved in the organized crime world were able to retrofit it for their own use. Halton Police released a security video of an auto theft where you can see criminals backing up a stolen vehicle inside one of these trailers. 

“It almost became like a garage,” noted Boland. “You would never know what’s in there.” 

But police figured out what was allegedly going on and put an investigative team on it. Within three months of starting Project Ninja, Halton police arrested four suspects and put out warrants for the arrest of four others.

“Auto theft is more than simply stealing cars. The proceeds made from stolen vehicles are funding organized crime that impacts the safety and well-being of all law-abiding residents,” said Deputy Chief Jeff Hill. “Today’s announcement is not the first, nor will it be the last. The Halton Regional Police Service remains firmly committed to combatting this priority issue at all levels, and we will continue to do everything in our power to identify, capture, and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.” 

Article content

This sure was some good police work by Halton officers, who just this week also had a major takedown with Project Catfish. In that investigation, they made numerous arrests and seized guns, cash and drugs.

With about 50 vehicles a day being stolen in the GTA every day, Project Ninja was a blow to the alleged gang.

“In May 2024, members of the HRPS Organized Crime Unit began an investigation into an organized group of auto thieves who had been operating within Halton region, and across the Greater Toronto Area,” said Hill.

“As the investigation progressed, a majority of the suspects were identified as Algerian nationals who had travelled to Canada. Once in the country, the suspects resided in Quebec but re-located to the GTA where they stayed in short-term rental accommodations,” he alleged. “While based out of these locations, the suspects committed numerous reprogramming thefts, stealing vehicles over the course of several days before returning to Quebec.” 

Article content

Charged with multiple counts of vehicle theft and possession of stolen property over $5,000 are: Amine Garti, 23, Badr-Eddine Draoui, 23, and Ramy Bitout, 23 — all of Montréal — and Olivier Paquette, 25, of Saint-Jerome.

Police issued warrants for the arrest — on charges of possession of property obtained by crime — of four men: Youli-Wass Aidali, 22, of New Brunswick and Yasser Hassani, 23, Faycal Kessaci, 23, and Yacine Mamache, 23, all of Montreal.

None of the charges have been tested in court.

Chief Steve Tanner commended his officers and those working for the OPP and Canada Border Services for their hard work on this case.

The vacation is over. Thanks to Project Ninja, these trailers will once again go back to hauling legally obtained toys.