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Cops in Niagara Region have recovered more than $5 million in stolen vehicles during a “complex investigation” sparked by the theft of a single SUV just over a year ago.
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And Niagara Regional Police say nine suspects – including seven youths – have been arrested so far while two others are still sought as part of probe dubbed Project Jack Links.
However, investigators believe the losses from vehicles stolen by organized auto theft networks operating across Southern Ontario may exceed $20 million.
“Project Jack Links highlights the growing impact organized auto theft networks are having on communities not only across Ontario, but across Canada,” Chief Bill Fordy said in a statement. “What started as the theft of a single vehicle quickly uncovered a much larger and highly coordinated criminal operation spanning several jurisdictions.”
Lexus, Toyota vehicles targeted
Police explained it was an investigation into a stolen Lexus SUV in April 2025 that “evolved into a complex investigation.”
Since November 2025, more than 50 thefts and attempted thefts involving newer model Lexus and Toyota vehicles within the Niagara Region have been investigated, police said in the statement.
“In response to the growing trend, investigators launched Project Jack Links in December 2025, targeting organized criminal groups involved in the theft and trafficking of high-end vehicles throughout the region,” police said.
“Through the investigation, detectives identified multiple distinct and independent criminal networks operating within Southern Ontario,” police said. “Investigators learned these groups function separately but share a common objective of targeted theft of high-end vehicles for transport out of the province before the eventual trafficking to overseas markets for resale.”
The investigation – a collaborative effort that has included Hamilton Police, Halton Regional Police, Peel Regional Police, OPP, RCMP, Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal, Surete du Quebec, Canada Border Services Agency, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario and Équité Association – saw various agencies share intelligence and operational information related to stolen vehicles, which has led to the recovery of stolen vehicles as well as the identification of individuals and groups allegedly involved in organized auto theft activity.
“The NRPS (Niagara Regional Police Service) has determined that the individuals charged are believed to be responsible for more than 112 motor vehicle theft-related occurrences,” police said. “While the majority of these incidents occurred within the Niagara Region, the investigation also identified related thefts across several communities within the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities, including Hamilton, Brantford, Caledonia, Oakville, Burlington, London, Waterloo, Cambridge, Etobicoke, and Toronto.”
Youths among charged, two sought
NRPS detectives subsequently “facilitated multiple phases of search warrant executions targeting the identified criminal groups.”
Two 17-year-old St. Catharines boys, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), were arrested on Jan. 8 and charged with an assortment of related offences.
Investigators executed another search warrant at a Hamilton residence on April 14 and two more suspects were arrested.
Nemr Alawad, 18, and Farouk Alawad, 23, both of Hamilton, are charged with a slew of related offences.
Another four search warrants in Mississauga and Oakville on May 14, resulting in the arrests of five boys aged 16 and 17 – who can’t be identified under the YCJA – on various related charges.
Investigators have also identified two other suspects who are sought in connection with the investigation.
Ryan Ramayah Permauloo, 20, of North Dumfries, and Mamadi Kaba, 20, of Quebec, are wanted on related offences.
Stolen vehicles destined for West Africa
Police said numerous stolen vehicles were subsequently recovered at the Port of Montreal.
“Investigators determined that the stolen vehicles were being prepared for export and were destined for ports located in West Africa,” police said.
“This investigation by the NRPS remains active and ongoing, with investigators continuing to review electronic and digital evidence, as well as forensic materials seized throughout the course of the investigation,” police said. “Investigators anticipate further arrests and charges in the coming weeks as the investigation progresses.”
“Investigators believe the investigation will lead to further arrests linked to more than 100 additional vehicle thefts across Ontario, involving millions of dollars in stolen property,” police added.