Four arrested in connection with stolen vehicle export network in Montreal
Four suspects were arrested this week in connection with a criminal network that specializes in exporting stolen vehicles in Montreal.
Those involved in the network allegedly stole high-value vehicles such as SUVs and pickups, waited a few hours to make sure they weren’t being tracked, then loaded them onto shipping containers, according to Montreal police.
“In some cases, the network allegedly used a technique to falsify vehicle identities in order to reduce the risk of seizure by customs authorities,” the SPVM said in a release on Wednesday.
The investigation, launched in January, led to the seizure of 10 vehicles, burglary tools, stolen licence plates and other evidence, the SPVM said. It was carried out in the boroughs of Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles and Villeray—St-Michel—Parc-Extension in Montreal as well as in Repentigny and St-Jean-de-Matha.
“Criminal networks attempting to export stolen vehicles are constantly looking to refine their methods to achieve their goals,” SPVM commander Pierre-Marc Houle, head of the force’s Section des enquêtes par projet de la région Sud, said in a statement. “They should bear in mind that the SPVM and its partners are equally agile. Regardless of the techniques used, they will eventually find us in their path.”
Éric Quenneville and Yves Desjardins, both 49, appeared at the Montreal courthouse facing multiple charges, including possession and trafficking of property obtained by crime; laundering of proceeds of crime; possession of a device intended for committing vehicle theft; and altering, removing, or obliterating a motor vehicle identification number without a lawful excuse.
An alleged accomplice, 50, was released on a promise to appear in court. A second, 55, was released on a summons.
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