Durham Police arrest four teens on 200 charges in Project Magenta
· Toronto Sun
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Four teenagers face a total of 229 charges as part of Project Magenta – an investigation into numerous stolen vehicles and commercial break-and-enters across Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
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“Organized property crime is not a victimless offence,” said Durham Regional Police acting Deputy Chief Glenn Courneyea said Thursday. “It causes significant financial harm, undermines the community’s perception of safety, and fuels further criminal activity.”
Members of Durham’s West Division Criminal Investigations Branch identified links between a series of commercial break-and-enters, vehicle thefts, attempted vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles, fraud-related offences, and the use of stolen vehicles in the commission of the offences.
The offences connected to Project Magenta resulted in nearly $1 million in known losses and damages to businesses, vehicle owners, and the community.
Between June and September, police allege the group was responsible for 36 incidents across Durham Region and Toronto, including commercial break-and-enters and vehicle theft-related offences involving stolen vehicles, attempted vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles, and licence plate thefts.
Police say the investigation began after two smash-and-grab break-ins at trading card retailers in Ajax on June 14, resulting in approximately $148,000 worth of stolen merchandise.
Investigators also linked the group to a break-and-enter at Oliver Jewellery in Pickering.
The suspects allegedly used stolen vehicles and forced their way into businesses that included jewelry stores, cannabis dispensaries, trading card retailers and pawn shops.
The accused
Four suspects were arrested without incident.
Mahith Sivananthan, 18, of Pickering, is charged with multiple offences including 10 counts of possessing property obtained by crime over $5000, 14 counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, six counts of theft under $5000, three counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle and 24 counts of disguise with intent.
Mohammad Sakrak, 18, of Toronto , is charged with six counts of possession of property obtained by crimes over $5000, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle and four counts of disguise with intent.
A 15-year-old Pickering boy and 16-year-old Toronto boy, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are both charged with numerous offences including break-and-enter theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 and possession of break-in instruments.
The investigation remains active as investigators continue to review evidence seized during the execution of the search warrants.
Police say 15 vehicles were stolen in the crime spree. Further charges are anticipated.
The four accused were held for a bail hearing.
These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
Anyone with information, surveillance footage, dashcam footage or cellphone video related to these incidents is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1905, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).