Halton police say two separate investigations have led to the arrest of four men and the disruption of two auto theft networks operating in the region.
The first investigation, dubbed Project Joker, began in April 2026 following the theft of a Lexus SUV from the Bronte GO Station parking lot.
Police said they identified two suspects who they believed to be members of an organized crime group operating out of Quebec.
“Investigators subsequently identified a rental vehicle associated with the suspects and conducted surveillance. During the investigation, the suspects were observed stealing and attempting to steal vehicles in Oakville and Mississauga,” police said in a news release issued Thursday.
Police said 27-year-old Dany Hamel-Poirier and 20-year-old Damian Daneau, both of Montreal, were arrested on May 22.
According to police, at the time of his arrest, Hamel-Poirier was wanted by several police services in Ontario and Quebec, including Peel Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police, and the Sûreté du Québec, on dozens of auto theft related charges. He is also on probation for auto theft convictions, police said, and has “multiple release orders” in Quebec.
Police said they believe to two accused are responsible for “more than 100 vehicle thefts throughout the GTHA” and more charges are anticipated.
Three stolen vehicles were recovered as a result of the investigation, Halton police confirmed.
“The fact that these individuals are allegedly linked to more than 100 vehicle thefts, while already facing numerous criminal charges and subject to release orders, should be concerning to everyone,” Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner said in a written statement.
“Auto theft is not a victimless property crime. It is driven by organized criminal networks that profit at the expense of our communities and undermine public safety.”
The second auto theft probe, known as Project Disconnect, began in early 2026 when investigators “identified a growing trend” involving thefts of vehicles at Oakville hotels.
On May 27, officers responded to two suspects attempting to steal a vehicle from an Oakville hotel parking lot, police said.
“Officers quickly moved in and, despite attempts to flee, safely arrested two suspects. Police also seized a stolen Dodge Durango the suspects arrived in,” Halton police said in the news release.
Jobanpreet Singh, 21, faces multiple charges, including theft of a vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime.
Atish Singh, 26, has also been charged with flight from police, assault with a weapon, and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
“At the time of his arrest, Jobanpreet Singh was wanted on a Canada Border Services Agency warrant and was in Canada on a student visa,” police said in the release.
