Regional cops uncovered 18 stolen cars taken apart and charged two guys tied to the chop shop operation.
The investigation kicked off back in March, when the break-and-enter, auto theft, and robbery team started checking out an illegal vehicle salvage spot on Eagle Street in Cambridge. According to the press release, they carried out search warrants at that Cambridge location and also at a home in Kitchener.
Altogether, officers found over a dozen stolen vehicles that had been stripped for parts.
Because of this, two men – aged 51 and 19 from Kitchener – now face charges including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking stolen goods over $5,000, and fraud exceeding $5,000.
The suspects are currently held by police until their bail hearing takes place.
Police shared photos showing pieces of vehicles recovered from the chop shop. (WRPS)
If you know anything else about this case, please reach out to Waterloo Regional Police Service.
Most Stolen Vehicles in Ontario
Recent figures from Équité Association reveal that half of the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Ontario are SUVs.
Topping the list is the Honda CR-V. This SUV has often been a favorite among thieves before and again holds a top spot. The 2024 model was especially targeted this year.
For all of Canada though, the Toyota RAV4 was stolen most frequently last year – clocking in at 2,080 thefts according to Équité’s data.
“Newer model SUVs, particularly those with keyless security vulnerabilities, remain prime targets for sophisticated criminal networks nationally,” Équité said in a media release.
Parts from a stolen car were found after police uncovered this chop shop setup. (WRPS)
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