Region of Peel– Peel Regional Police Commercial Auto Crime Bureau joined forces with investigators from Halton Regional Police,York Regional Police and Canada Border Services Agency in a 4 month long investigation resulting in multiple arrests and high-end vehicle seizures.
In April 2019, investigators from the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau began a vehicle theft investigation called Project Baijin. The investigation revealed that the stolen vehicles were being prepped to be shipped overseas in containers to China and other European countries.
“Project Baijin is a perfect example of the quality of work that can happen when the expertise of multiple agencies share information and work together for one common goal.” said Chief Chris McCord.
On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, investigators from the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau recovered six high-end vehicles from a business in the area of Kestrel Road and Meyerside Drive in the City of Mississauga.
- A 2015 Jeep Wrangler
- A 2016 Mercedes GLE350
- A 2018 Mercedes C300
- A 2018 Audi A7
- A 2018 Dodge Ram
- A 2019 Range Rover
Investigators found links throughout the Greater Toronto Area and several provinces spanning from Quebec to British Columbia, where vehicles were being obtained and brought to auto shops in Ontario.
On April 10, 2019, two international students, He Cui, a 24-year-old man that currently resides in Markham and Wenqi Li, a 26-year-old man that currently resides in Markham, were arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking. Both men appeared at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton on April 11, 2019 in answer to these charges.
Subsequent to their arrest, with the assistance of Halton Regional Police and York Regional Police, investigators conducted eight search warrants across Peel, Halton and York region.
As a result of the investigation, the following high-end vehicles were seized:
(All values are an approximate)
•
2018 Bentley GTC, $263,000
• 2018
Mercedes Benz GT50 AMG Convertible (1 of 500 produced): $230, 000
• 2017
Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG $200,000
• 2017
Range Rover Black RRV $185,000
• 2019
Range Rover $167,286
• 2019
Audi Q7 $137,000
• 2019
Volvo XC90 $100,000
• 2019
GMC Yukon $93,000
• 2018
Dodge Ram $88,110
• 2018
Mercedes C43 $85,000
• 2017
Bmw X6 $83,000
• 2016
Mercedes GLE350 $80,659
• 2018
Audi A7 $74,846
• 2017
Audi Q6 Suv $71,000
• 2017
Range Rover Discovery $63,000
• 2018
Toyota 4Runner $50,000
• 2018
Jeep Wrangler $50,000
• 2019
Ford Mustang Convertible $50,000
• 2002
John Deere Backhoe $45,000
• 2015
Jeep $40,367
• 2016
Jeep Wrangler $30,000
• 2010
Bobcat S650 $10,000
The total value of vehicles seized is approximately $2.2 million.
On Tuesday, July 23, 2019 the following individuals were arrested and charged:
He Cui, a 24-year-old man from Markham was charged with multiple counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking, Breach of Recognizance and Utter Forged Document.
Wenqi Li, a 26-year-old man from Markham was charged with multiple counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking and Breach of Recognizance.
Krisztien Nemes, a 44-year-old man from Burlington was charged with multiple counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking, Fraud Over $5000 and Utter Forged Document.
Ryan Gillard, a 42-year-old man from Mississauga was charged with multiple counts of of Identity Fraud, Fraud Over $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the Purpose of Trafficking, Utter Forged Document, Possession of Counterfeit Mark and Possession of property Obtained by Crime.
Radivoje Tadic, a 24-year-old man from was charged with multiple counts of Utter Forged Document, Fraud Over $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for the purpose of trafficking and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
All of the arrested individuals were held for a bail hearing and appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in the City of Brampton on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.
The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are anticipated.
We would like to thank Halton Regional Police, York Regional Police, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre for their assistance.
Anyone who may have information pertaining to this matter is asked to call investigators at the Commercial Auto Crime Bureau at (905) 453–2121, ext.3322. Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.
