By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban
A months-long investigation by the Quebec provincial police (SQ) resulted in the arrest of two West Island residents last week, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against organized vehicle theft operations in the region.
Alex Badagbor, 48, from St. Laurent, and Bertha Yeboah, 42, from Pointe-Claire, were taken into custody following coordinated raids at their residences. The pair faces 12 criminal charges related to the possession and trafficking of stolen vehicles, specifically involving six vehicles between June and July of last year.
The operation, which began in May 2024, involved approximately a dozen SQ officers and targeted what investigators believe to be part of a larger vehicle export network. This network has been contributing to the surge in auto thefts across the West Island, particularly in commercial areas.
The arrests come at a critical time for the West Island community, where vehicle theft has become an increasing concern for residents and law enforcement alike. The Fairview Pointe-Claire shopping centre has emerged as a particular hotspot, with 156 vehicles reported stolen from its parking lot in the past year — averaging more than one theft every two days.
Despite these concerning numbers, recent data suggests that enhanced police efforts are beginning to show results. Quebec has seen a 36 percent reduction in vehicle thefts during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. In the Greater Montreal Ares (GMA), police statistics show approximately 8,200 stolen vehicles between January and November 2024, marking a significant decrease from the nearly 11,000 vehicles stolen throughout 2023.
The West Island’s strategic location, with its proximity to major highways and shipping routes, has made it an attractive target for organized theft rings that export stolen vehicles overseas. Law enforcement sources indicate that many of these vehicles end up in shipping containers at the Port of Montreal, where authorities recently intercepted 54 stolen vehicles in a separate operation.
The SQ’s operation reflects a broader provincial strategy to combat vehicle theft, which has included increased surveillance in high-risk areas and closer cooperation between different police forces. The Montreal police force (SPVM) has also intensified its presence around known hotspots, particularly in commercial parking lots and residential areas where luxury vehicles are frequently targeted.
The SQ has established a dedicated tip line for this ongoing investigation, encouraging anyone with information to contact their criminal information centre at 1-800-659-4264.
This case remains active as investigators continue to examine potential connections to other vehicle theft operations in the region. The SQ has indicated that additional arrests may follow as the investigation progresses. n