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TinniTus soluTions wax reMoval on-siTe Hearing aid repair & Cleaning Two Durham Region residents are among more than 20 suspects charged with hundreds of offences following a lengthy police investigation into what's described as a sophisticated auto theft ring. Project High 5, a multi-jurisdictional effort led by Peel Regional Police, was a six-month investigation that resulted in the recovery of 217 stolen vehicles valued at more than $11 million, police said. It led to the arrests of 24 suspects, who face a total of 321 charges. Also seized were a loaded handgun, drugs, fraudulent documents and more than $100,000 in cash deemed proceeds of crime, police said. The project culminated with the execution of nine search warrants on Jan. 19. "These arrests and seizures are an impressive demonstration of the value of collaboration between the Peel Regional Police, our policing partners, and our community," said Peel police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. "It has resulted in successfully dismantling one of the most prolific organized crime rings in the Greater Toronto Area. The results are unparalleled." Project High 5 began after police detected an increase in vehicle thefts in Peel and throughout the GTA, police said. Thieves struck as car owners slept, forcing open vehicle doors and gaining access to on-board diagnostic ports, then using key programming devices to create new, aftermarket fobs to get them running, police said. Toyota Highlander, Honda CRV, Ford F150, Range Rover, and Lexus SUV models were among the vehicles most often targeted. "It is alleged that car owners in residential neighbourhoods were targeted while they slept and the vehicles were then loaded into shipping containers to export them to the United States and multiple West African and Middle Eastern countries," police said. In all 24 suspects in Ontario and Quebec, ranging in age from 65 to 17, were caught up in the sweep. Among them were Shane Mundle, 32, of Whitby, who faces five charges, and 21-year-old Jahid Golan of Uxbridge, charged with 18 offences, police said. Police said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. DURHAM RESIDENTS ARRESTED AS POLICE BUST CAR THEFT RING JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@ durhamregion.com NEWS PROJECT HIGH 5 SAW PEEL POLICE DISMANTLE ONE OF THE 'MOST PROLIFIC ORGANIZED CRIME RINGS' IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA "These arrests and seizures are an impressive demonstration of the value of collaboration between the Peel Regional Police, our policing partners, and our community." - Peel police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich In a rare instance, Durham Regional Police were able to recover $55,000 in cryptocurrency stolen from a fraud victim. The victim was defrauded of the funds while researching how to invest in cryptocurrency online, police said. While researching, the victim bought software, but then accidentally downloaded malware that gave the suspects remote access to their computer. The suspects accessed the victim's cryptocurrency wallet and transferred about $55,000 from the victim, police noted. The Durham police were contacted by the RCMP about the incident and the Financial Crimes Unit started an investigation in September 2021, police added. Following an extensive investigation, and with the help of the RCMP and the Crown Law Office, DRPS seized approximately 0.877 BTC (approximate value $55,000) and on Dec. 23, 2021, the funds were successfully returned to the victim. Police noted that recovering funds in this type of investigation is extremely rare. This is believed to be only the second investigation in Ontario where funds were recovered. The victim wants to prevent others from falling for the same scam so he's sharing his story. "I paid for and then downloaded software I thought would assist me in investing in cryptocurrency," the victim said. "The morning after I downloaded the software I received a call from someone posing as an employee of the software company offering to help me. I was asked to go to a link and log-in. Within minutes of doing that I watched my crypto-wallet be emptied. "The calls didn't stop after they got the money, they kept calling and even offered to return my money if I sent them more," he said. "I know that most victims don't get their money back and I am very grateful to the RCMP and DRPS for their assistance. I want to warn others that this can and does happen. Please be aware and don't download any software (even in if you pay for it) to your computer unless you can verify where it is coming from." Investigators would like to remind residents interested in investing in cryptocurrency to educate themselves on reputable exchanges and to never give anyone remote access to a desktop or device. 'PLEASE BE AWARE': IN A RARITY, DURHAM POLICE ABLE TO RECOVER $55GS IN CRYPTO