Project Ninja Dismantles Organized Auto Theft Group

MEDIA UPDATE:

On September 11, 2024, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) announced multiple arrests in relation to Project Ninja including multiple suspects still outstanding and wanted on Canada wide arrest warrants.

As a result of continued investigation:

On September 12, 2024, Yacine Mamache (24), of Montréal, Québec was arrested by Service de Police la Ville De Montreal (SPVM) and custody transferred to the HRPS where he was charged with the following:

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000
Trafficking in Stolen Property – Over $5000

Mamache has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

On September 16, 2024, Faycal Kessaci (23) was arrested by HRPS officers in Oakville where he was charged with the following:

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle (2 Counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (2 Counts)

Kessaci has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

On September 23, 2024, Youli-Wass Aidali (22) of Le Goulet, New Brunswick was arrested by HRPS officers in Oakville where he was charged with the following:

Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000

Aidali has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

The HRPS would like to thank the Ontario Provincial Government for their assistance in this successful project. Funding provided from the Preventing Auto Theft grant program.

Yasser Hassani and Olivier Paquette continue to remain outstanding.

Anyone with information that may assist in the location and arrest of these individuals, or regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators at 905-825-4747 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.

Media Inquiries:

Halton Regional Police Service
Media Relations
Phone: 905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) today announced details regarding Project Ninja. To date, the three-month investigation has resulted in the arrest of four suspects, with Canada-wide warrants issued for four others, and has dismantled an organized auto theft group that had been operating throughout the GTA.

In May 2024, members of the HRPS Organized Crime Unit began an investigation into an organized group of auto thieves who had been operating within Halton region, and across the Greater Toronto Area. As the investigation progressed, a majority of the suspects were identified as Algerian nationals who had travelled to Canada. Once in the country, the suspects resided in Québec but re-located to the GTA where they stayed in short-term rental accommodations. While based out of these locations, the suspects committed numerous reprogramming thefts, stealing vehicles over the course of several days before returning to Québec.

On August 24, 2024, HRPS officers arrested three suspects in relation to the investigation. A criminal code search warrant was subsequently executed for a short-term rental in Oshawa, where additional evidence was located and seized. Included in the seizure was a large Toy Hauler RV that was used to conceal and transport the stolen vehicles (photos attached).

“Auto theft is more than simply stealing cars. The proceeds made from stolen vehicles are funding organized crime that impacts the safety and well-being of all law-abiding residents,” said Deputy Chief of Police, Jeff Hill. “Today’s announcement is not the first, nor will it be the last. The Halton Regional Police Service remains firmly committed to combatting this priority issue at all levels and we will continue to do everything in our power to identify, capture, and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.”

The following individuals have been arrested and charged (photos attached):

Amine Garti (23), of Montréal, Québec:

Theft of a Motor Vehicle (5 Counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (4 Counts)
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Trafficking Stolen Property - Over $5000

Garti has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Badr-Eddine Draoui (23), of Montréal, Québec:

Theft of a Motor Vehicle (3 Counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (4 Counts)
Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Trafficking Stolen Property – Over $5000 (2 Counts)
Fail to Comply with Release Order (2 Counts)

Draoui has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Ramy Bitout (23), of Montréal, Québec:

Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000

Bitout has been held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Olivier Paquette (35), of Saint-Jérôme, Québec was arrested by the OPP on July 24, 2024 and is currently wanted by the Halton Regional Police Service on the following charges:

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (2 Counts)
Trafficking Stolen Property – Over $5000 (2 Counts)

Canada-wide arrest warrants have also been issued for the following individuals (photos attached):

Youli-Wass Aidali (22), of Le Goulet, New Brunswick:

Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000

Yasser Hassani (23), of Montréal, Québec:

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle (6 Counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (5 Counts)
Trafficking Stolen Property – Over $5000

Faycal Kessaci (23):

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle (2 Counts)
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000 (2 Counts)

Yacine Mamache (24), of Montréal, Québec:

Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Theft of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime – Over $5000
Trafficking in Stolen Property – Over $5000

The HRPS would like to thank the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency for their assistance in this investigation.

Anyone with information that may assist in the location and arrest of these individuals, or regarding this investigation is asked to contact investigators at 905-825-4747 ext. 7006.

For the latest on HRPS’ ongoing response to auto theft in Halton region, including important safety tips, visit www.haltonpolice.ca (under Staying Safe – Auto Theft) or follow us @HaltonPolice on X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

Toy Hauler RV Video Link

Media Inquiries:

Halton Regional Police Service
Media Relations

905-825-4899
Email: corpcomm@haltonpolice.ca