Burlington, Ontario – The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made an arrest and laid multiple charges after a lengthy investigation into a suspected chop-shop operation in Burlington.
On Tuesday September 20, 2022, officers with the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau executed a search warrant at Empire Auto Parts on Brant Street in Burlington. Investigators with the assistance of Equite Association (formerly Insurance Bureau of Canada) have spent three days combing through the large two-story warehouse to identify stolen parts and vehicles.
Approximately 70 stolen vehicles have been identified through engines, transmissions, hoods and doors.
All identifiable vehicle parts have been seized and transported to a secure location.
The estimated value of parts seized is $350,000 and the value of the original stolen vehicles is more than $2.5 million.
Police seized the following stolen property (see attached photos):
28 fully intact, high end vehicle engines
15 vehicle transmissions
16 sets of vehicle doors
19 vehicle hoods
A stolen skid steer
Ismet Bajcinca (43) of Hamilton was arrested and has been charged with:
Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (4 counts)
Tampering with Vehicle Identification Number
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Bajcinca was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
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.
Halton Regional Police Service
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