FREDERIC SERRE
The 1510 West

Four months after an intense investigation by a special unit comprised of more than 50 Montreal police officers, 19 motorists have been reunited with their stolen vehicles and six suspects of a car theft ring have been arrested. Most of the vehicles had been reported stolen at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport in Dorval.

The Montreal Police Service made the announcement last week, saying the suspects – men all in their early 20s – were arrested during raids in Montreal, Brossard and Longueuil, and face a total of 176 charges.

Montreal police began their investigation last May after noticing a sharp rise in vehicle thefts at the airport. While the criminal network targeted the airport, they were also active in other areas of the region. According to police, the gang was specialized in the theft and exportation of stolen vehicles, which included Toyotas, Lexus and Jeeps. In all, about 30 vehicles were reported stolen since May. Police did not identify where the 19 motorists who recovered their vehicles live.

The six suspects appeared before a Quebec Court judge last Thursday and were charged with a long list of accusations, including breaches of court-ordered conditions, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, careless driving, conspiracy, trafficking of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, engaging in proceeds of crime and possession of a master key.