Police recover 75 stolen vehicles after six month long investigation

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has wrapped up a months-long investigation into auto theft in the capital, recovering 75 stolen vehicles and laying charges against eight people.

‘Project Phoenix’ began in January 2023 and concluded earlier this month, with the aim of identifying, disrupting and dismantling groups participating in organized auto-theft in response to the increasing rates of organized vehicle theft.

The number of stolen cars believed to be connected to organized auto theft in Ottawa so far in 2023 shows  a 30 per cent increase over the same period the year before.

In total, 75 vehicles were recovered through ‘Project Phoenix’ by Ottawa police and their partner police agencies, including two shipments of stolen vehicles headed for Montreal, where police believe they were to be shipped out of the country from the Port of Montreal.

So far, eight people have been charged, including two Ottawa residents, two people from Gatineau, and four people from the Montreal area. Collectively, they face a total of 67 criminal charges including motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property over $5,000, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

In January 2023, the Ottawa Police Service commenced “Project Phoenix” with the aim of identifying, disrupting and dismantling groups participating in organized auto-theft in response to the increasing rates of organized vehicle theft.

75 vehicles were recovered.#OttNews… pic.twitter.com/i08lLw1JFI

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) July 12, 2023