Nine stolen rental vehicles recovered, charges laid in fraud investigation
Five people are facing more than 50 charges for allegedly stealing vehicles from rental companies and used car dealerships across southwestern Ontario.
Waterloo regional police said their Direct Action Response Team (DART) began investigating the thefts in March 2024.
The group allegedly used stolen identity documents to rent vehicles and then didn’t return them.
Investigators also tied them to a series of thefts from local used car dealerships. They said the people involved would take the vehicles for a test drive and wouldn’t bring them back.
Of the five people arrested, two are from Waterloo.
Combined, they’re facing more than 50 charges including: identity fraud, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of an identity document, fraud under $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and motor vehicle theft.
A total of nine stolen vehicles have been recovered.
Police say additional arrests and charges are anticipated.
They shared the following theft prevention tips for rental companies and dealerships:
- Scrutinize identity documents presented to rent or test-drive vehicles and make a copy of the documents
- Request two other pieces of identification in addition to a driver’s licence (i.e.: provincial health card, current utility bill, credit card)
- Charge a security deposit to the driver’s credit card prior to the vehicle leaving the premises
- Require the driver to provide a contact phone number, and call it before they leave the premises
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.