NEWS RELEASE
HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
************************
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) have arrested 8 suspects and laid over 90 criminal charges as investigators conclude a multi-jurisdictional auto theft investigation dubbed Project Mulligan.
Throughout the fall of 2024 the HRPS experienced an increase in high end auto thefts from hotel lots located in Oakville and Burlington. In response to these thefts’ members of the HRPS Organized Crime Unit initiated a coordinated investigation and identified an organized group of auto thieves that had been primarily operating within Halton and Peel Regions.
As the investigation progressed detectives were able to utilize a variety of investigative techniques to identify areas where the stolen vehicles were left to “cool off”, in addition to locations where the vehicles were stored, loaded and transferred to various shipping points throughout the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal.
On February 20, 2025, the HRPS Organized Crime Unit, with the assistance of the HRPS Drug and 2 District Street Crime Units, executed 10 Criminal Code search warrants on vehicles, storage facilities and residences across the GTA. As a result of the search warrants further items of evidentiary value were recovered which included auto theft tools, reprogramming kits and a re-vinned BMW.
Investigators believe the auto theft crew to be responsible for over 75 vehicle thefts since September of 2024.
To date investigation has located and recovered 18 of these stolen vehicles, two having been located inside shipping containers at the Port of Montreal.
As a result of the investigation the following individuals have been arrested and charged:
Luis Bello-Reyes (29) of Etobicoke:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (16 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (14 Counts)
- Trafficking Stolen Property
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
- Possession of Electronic Device for the Purpose of Committing Motor Vehicle Theft
- Possess Break and Enter Tools
Amir Habibzai (25) of Mississauga:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (11 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (10 Counts)
- Trafficking Stolen Property
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
Furkan Ari (22) of Toronto:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (7 Counts)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (6 Counts)
Dmytro Aref’yev (34) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Yekta Isik (30) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Tanbir Islam (28) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
- Fail to Comply – Being on a Release Order
Fatima Salame (25) of Montreal, Quebec:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
- Possession of Instruments for Forgery
- Possess Counterfeit Mark
- Possess Identity Documents
Pierre Bytion (30) of Toronto:
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
Of note, at the time of arrest Bello-Reyes, Habibzai, and Bytion were all on prior forms of release for similar criminal offences.
All accused were held in custody pending their respective bail hearings in Milton.
Upon investigative review both Luis Bello-Reyes and Amir Habibzai have been denied bail and will remain in custody while they await trial.
Auto theft is often undertaken by organized criminal elements who utilize the proceeds to fund their criminal enterprises. Investigation into this organized auto theft crew is continuing and additional charges may be pending.
“The rise in Incidents of auto theft and its related crimes is of utmost concern and remains a top priority of the Halton Regional Police Service. Auto thieves continue to incorporate a variety of techniques to commit these thefts while engaging in varying strategies to avoid detection and arrest. This most recent investigation is an example of our commitment to combatting these organized criminal elements and holding those responsible accountable.” Superintendent Dave Stewart, Regional Investigative Services.
The HRPS would like to thank the Ontario Provincial Government for their strong support through funding provided from the Preventing Auto Theft grant program.
The HRPS would also like to thank officers with Peel and York Regional Police Service for their assistance in this investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators with the Organized Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 7006.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. "See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
************************