(MIDDLESEX, ON) – Members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the OPP Middlesex-Elgin Community Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from the London Police Service, Chippewa Police Service and Oneida Police Service, have arrested three individuals following an investigation into the theft ring of vehicles in the London and Middlesex County area.
Between April 24th, 2020 and April 29th, 2020, thieves stole vehicles, keys and documents from several dealerships in the city of London and the County of Middlesex.
On April 30, 2020, members of the OPP Middlesex Elgin CSCU, assisted by Provincial Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE), executed a search warrant at a motel in the Mississauga area, where two suspects were taken into custody. Investigators have recovered 8 stolen vehicles, over 175 vehicle keys, and stolen documents from several dealerships located in the London and Middlesex County area.
OPP have charged Saul FLORES-CRUZ, 32 years-old, of St. Thomas ON with:
CC 430(4) Mischief Under $ 5,000
CC 145(5)(a) Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court
CC 333.1 Theft of Motor Vehicle
CC 348(1)(b) Break, Enter a place – commit indictable offence
CC 341 Fraudulent Concealment
(5 counts) CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
(5 counts) CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada
OPP have also charged Amber COTTRELLE, 31 years-old, of London, ON with:
CC 56.1 Possession of an identity document
CC 733.1(1) Fail to Comply with Probation Order
CC 341 Fraudulent Concealment
(5 counts) CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
(6 counts) CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – in Canada
On April 25, 2020, OPP arrested and charged Kalihwi RODARTE, 26 years-old, of the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation with:
CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
CC 320.18(1)(a) Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code
CC 348(1)(b) Break, Enter a place – commit indictable offence
CC 430(4) Mischief Under $ 5,000
All accused parties have been remanded into police custody and are scheduled to appear in a London court room to speak to the charges.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.
Police are encouraging all dealerships and companies with fleet vehicles to re-evaluate their key storage protocols to prevent thieves from easily gaining access to keys for company vehicles and facilities.
We want to remind the public that if you see anything suspicious, you should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority immediately. The OPP can be reached anytime anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.