Six charged after $800K in stolen vehicles recovered in GTA carjacking probe

Police say eight high-end vehicles worth an estimated $800,000 have been recovered following an investigation into a series of violent carjackings across the Greater Toronto Area.

According to a release from the Toronto Police Service’s Central Robbery Bureau, officers began investigating after multiple reports of armed carjackings between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1. Investigators allege the suspects targeted luxury vehicles, primarily Mercedes-Benz models, during the incidents.

Police said the investigation, dubbed Project Stratis, found the accused were allegedly involved not only in carrying out the carjackings but also in arranging for the vehicles to be re-vinned and either resold domestically or shipped overseas to Ghana.

With assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, officers executed several search warrants at locations including storage lockers, an auto body shop and shipping containers. Police say eight stolen vehicles were recovered and two replica firearms were seized.

Authorities also allege that, with information provided by the CBSA, two suspects were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport while attempting to board a flight to Ghana. In total, six individuals have been arrested and face 30 charges.

The allegations have not been proven in court.