Police arrest 15 in $9.2 million big rig and cargo theft ring
Fifteen people have been arrested and charged in connection with a massive organized crime enterprise targeting semi truck and commercial freight in the Toronto area.
On July 19, Peel Regional Police released the results from an investigation called Project Big Rig that was formed to investigate a prolific series of tractor trailer and cargo thefts in Peel and across the Greater Toronto Area.
As part of the investigation that began in March 2023, law enforcement arrested 15 people, who are facing 73 total charges.
Through Project Big Rig, police were able to recover $6,990,000 in stolen cargo, $2,250,000 worth of stolen tractor trailers, for a total property recovery amount of $9,240,000.
“Cargo and auto theft is not a victimless crime. It hurts people, inflicts financial harm and often leads to the funding of other criminal activity,” said Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. “Project Big Rig is an example of our efforts to hold the individuals accountable who victimize our communities and residents. Let this be a reminder to all the criminal networks that we will continue to disrupt criminality of any kind.”
See below for more on the 15 individuals charged thanks to Project Big Rig:
Balkar Singh, 42-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Ajay Ajay, 26-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Manjeet Padda, 40-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Jagjeevan Singh, 25-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x2)
- Breach of Recognizance (x2)
Amandeep Baidwan, 41-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x4)
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
- Breach of Probation
Karamshand Singh, 58-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Trafficking in Stolen Goods
Jasvinder Atwal, 45-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Fail to Comply with Release Order (x2)
- Operation While Prohibited
Lakhvir Singh, 45-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Mischief Over $5000
Jagpal Singh, 34-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence (x2)
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Theft Over $5000
Upkaran Sandhu, 31-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Sukhvinder Singh, 44-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking (x2)
Kulvir Bains, 39-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (x3)
- Theft Over $5000 (x3)
Banishidar Lalsaran, 39-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (x2)
Shobit Verma, 23-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
Sukhninder Dhillon, 34-years old, is charged with the following offences:
- Break and Enter Commit an Indictable Offence
- Theft of Motor Vehicle (x4)
- Theft Over $5000 (x4)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Theft of Mail
- Operation while Prohibited (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Release Order