19 stolen motor vehicles recovered to date
Toronto, ON (May 15, 2019) – On August 31, 2018, the Ottawa Police charged four men from the Montreal area in relation to motor vehicle thefts in the Ottawa area during the period of May-August 2018.
There were approximately 50 motor vehicles stolen in Ottawa in that period, and the approximate value of these thefts is $2.5M dollars, and approximately $650,000 in recovered vehicles by Ottawa Police and other Quebec police agencies. Several vehicles recovered were located at or around the Port of Montreal and were destined for export.
On February 12, 2019, the Ottawa Police laid additional charges against two of the men.
Mathieu Authier, 26 years old, was charged with 105 offences in connection with 19 motor vehicle thefts; and Eric Robert-Ferreira, 25 year old with 35 offences in connection with 16 motor vehicle thefts. Both men are from the Montreal area.
On April 17, criminal investigators from Central & East Division began “Project Ravin” – with support from frontline patrol, crime analysts and the intelligence init – to further investigate the activities and role of an Ottawa man in placing orders for specific vehicle models/years with the car thieves from the Montreal area.
As a result of the project, 58-year-old Jean Belleus of Ottawa was charged on Saturday, May 11, with:
- Possess stolen property (×2)
- Utter forged document (×2)
- Launder proceeds of crime over $5000 (×2)
- Possess B&E tool (×1)
- Remove vehicle identification number (×2)
- Obtain by false pretense over $5000 (×1)
He will appear in court on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.
“We have a cross Directorate investigative approach with external policing partners, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the automotive industry to target the criminality specific to stolen vehicles and we are pleased with the results and success to date of Project Ravin,” said Ottawa Police Inspector Tim Hodgins, with Criminal Investigations. “We wish to remind the public that Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) dealers guarantee their vehicle purchase to consumers and protect them from purchasing a re-vinned vehicle.”
To date, 19 vehicles, primarily newer model luxury Toyota/Lexus SUV’s, have been recovered as a result of this Project. Subsequent examination of the vehicles revealed that they originated from motor vehicle thefts predominantly in Ottawa/Montreal area and other jurisdictions including Toronto. The estimated cost of theft & fraud is approximately $1.4M dollars, of which approximately $835,000 has been recovered.
Investigators found that some vehicles had been transferred to multiple owners and while some people who purchased vehicles from Jean ‘Mario’ BELLEUS are victims; others may be facing criminal charges such as Possession of stolen property, Filing a false police report and Fraud (including insurance frauds).
The Ottawa Police investigative team continues to identify and recover stolen “re-vinned” vehicles sold in Ottawa and asking Ottawa residents who purchased a vehicle from BELLEUS to contact Central Criminal Investigations Detective Doug Belanger at [email protected] or 613-236-1222 ext. 8724 or East Criminal Investigations Detective Stephen Love at [email protected] or 613-236-1222, ext. 6240.
For prevention tips, visit the Ottawa Police Service resource on Organized Auto Theft.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.
P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 126,000 Canadians, pays $9 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $54.7 billion.
For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.
SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
Tags: fraud, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), police, vehicle theft
