$1M in stolen property recovered, dozens of firearms seized in massive auto theft investigation

Barrie and South Simcoe police services uncover more than $1 million in allegedly stolen property and seize dozens of firearms.

A massive multi-jurisdictional auto theft investigation by the Barrie Police-South Simcoe Police Street Crime Auto Theft Unit has resulted in the seizure of nearly four dozen firearms and the recovery of more than $1 million in property.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Barrie police say search warrants were executed last week at properties in Springwater Township, King City, Toronto and Havelock, which turned up a boat, a personal watercraft, construction equipment, high-end watches, three vehicles, and a large amount of Canadian cash.

Police say at one of the properties officers seized 35 firearms and ammunition. In all, 45 firearms were confiscated. A 52-year-old man from the Greater Toronto Area faces criminal charges following the seizures.

Additionally, police arrested two other people, Farshid Ayon of Springwater Township and Olivia Osborne of Toronto, who were present during the search warrants. They face several charges in connection with crimes allegedly carried out in Barrie, Oro-Medonte and Prince Edward County, including theft over $5,000, identity theft and fraud, possession of property obtained by crime, and uttering a forged document.

Police say they have reason to believe these Ayon, 32, and Osborne, 26, are behind instances of fraudulent cheques and bank drafts being used throughout southern and central Ontario.

“If any member of the public is a victim of these conspiring fraudsters, you are strongly encouraged to contact your local police service,” Barrie police stated.

Both were remanded into custody, but Osborne has since been released while Ayon remains behind bars pending a bail hearing.

Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston said the detectives on the case “far exceeded the scope of the initial investigation,” adding their work is “the tip of an investigative iceberg.”

“This investigation was the result of exceptional collaboration and excellent police work. It took long hours and hard work to recover the firearms and over a million dollars of stolen property,” South Simcoe Police Chief John Van Dyke added.

The investigation remains ongoing.