4 suspects part of ‘violent auto theft group’ operating in GTA facing dozens of charges

A York Regional Police badge is shown in this file image.

Four people who are allegedly members of a “violent auto theft group” operating across York Region and the Greater Toronto Area have been arrested and charged with multiple offences.

In May, members of York Regional Police’s Auto Cargo Theft Unit launched an investigation into a group connected to motor vehicle thefts across the GTA.

Police say officers later identified multiple suspects involved in stealing vehicles throughout Toronto, Peel Region and the York Region.

On May 26, police say the suspects unsuccessfully attempted to steal a vehicle in the area of Woodbine Avenue and Shields Court in Markham. With the assistance of air support and K-9 units, officers located three suspects and followed them to an address in Brampton.

Police arrested the three suspects and say officers recovered a loaded firearm as well as a quantity of controlled substances.

During the investigation, police say they recovered three stolen vehicles worth an estimated combined value of $400,000.

Tejvir Singh Dhatt, 21; Soban Malik, 21; and a 17-year-old male, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have each been charged with multiple offences, including possession of a controlled substance, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of a loaded firearm. A full list of charges can be found here.

On June 3, police arrested a fourth suspect in the Town of Caledon.

Chanvir Singh, 19, was charged with one count of possession of property obtained by crime.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

The charges have not been tested in court.