An investigation that began in September and conducted by the Barrie Police-South Simcoe Police Street Crime Auto Theft Unit and the Anti-money Laundering unit, Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), resulted in the arrest of two people.
As a result of the investigation a 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, both from Innisfil, were arrested.
The joint forces entered into multiple investigations that spanned several regions in the Greater Toronto Area involving a stolen vehicle, forged identification and other property crimes. The individuals associated with the criminal offences focused their attention on auto theft to obtain personal identification to carry out fraud related thefts.
On Oct. 7, the Orillia OPP Detachment began a fraud investigation at the Costco in Orillia. Through investigation and collaboration with the South Simcoe Police Service, the 34-year-old man was identified and linked to additional incidents in other areas.
On Nov. 19, detectives from the combined Barrie Police-South Simcoe Police Street Crime Auto Theft Unit and OPP, completed a search warrant at a residence in Innisfil and. during the investigation, detectives recovered a Ford Transit Van that was reported stolen in Peel region on Oct. 25.
As a result, the two individuals were arrested and charged with 35 criminal offences that include possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, identity theft, possession of identity documents, possession of a device for purpose of committing theft and theft of gas.
The 34-year-old man was held for a bail hearing and remanded into custody, and the 35-year-old woman was released on a Form 10 Undertaking.
