As Crime Stoppers Month is celebrated across Canada, York Regional Police say the crime-busting organization is more important than ever.
In 2023, Crime Stoppers of York Region received 1,471 tips that led to 121 arrests, 76 cases cleared, 354 charges laid. It amounted to $901,253 of property recovered, 17 weapons seized, $1.04 million in drugs seized and led to $23,725 of rewards approved for tipsters.
One of the most important aspects of Crime Stoppers in recent years has been the impact it has had in addressing the auto theft issue in York Region. Since its inception in 1986, Crime Stoppers of York Region tips have resulted in $144.52 million in stolen property recovered, such as motor vehicles.
“As investigators, we know the invaluable resource Crime Stoppers provides,” said Deputy Chief Cecile Hammond said a Jan. 15 news conference. “The police cannot do this alone, we rely on the members of our community to help us by proactively reaching out.”
With the increase of auto theft in York Region, and across Canada, Dave Forster, president of Canadian Crime Stoppers, says the organization has been focused on supporting police.
“Auto thefts have become more prevalent than break-and-enters,” said Foster. “International crime rings are often involved in orchestrating auto thefts.”
Det. Sgt. Pay Smyth of York Regional Police’s Auto Cargo Unit said that the auto theft world has changed considerably in the last five years. He said that there are almost five times the amount of stolen cars now than in 2018 when he took over the auto cargo unit.
“Since vehicle theft has spiked, there’s been a lot more collaboration between our agencies,” he said. “We’re working well together to combat this but it’s still a major problem for us.”
One of the partners both York Regional Police and Crime Stoppers have been working collaboratively with to combat auto theft has been Équité Association, an organization that works to prevent insurance fraud and crime.
It’s estimated that insurance crime costs Canada between $4 billion and $5 billion per year, said Bryan Gast, vice-president of investigative services at Équité Association, and approximately $1.2 billion of that is through auto theft.
“It’s estimated that $130 from every insurance policy goes toward paying for the increase in auto theft,” said Gast. “Canada has become a source nation for stolen vehicles, which are frequently trafficked to finance and carry out other criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to international terrorism.”
Gast says that Crime Stoppers provides an invaluable service to the community and that it will take a collaborative effort to halt the increase in auto theft in Canada.
“We encourage all Canadians to report information that can help law enforcement bring criminals to justice and keep communities safe,” he said. “It’s extraordinarily important that Canadians report these crimes and tips.”
As York Regional Police and Crime Stoppers continue to focus on stopping auto theft in the area, Crime Stoppers is doubling the reward for the most wanted suspects for auto theft. The five suspects are Mansor Abdul, Abu Ayi, Modibo Bamba, Amiel Tambwe Katende, and Ala Malak Mekdad.
Those wishing to report a crime or provide a tip, but wish to remain anonymous can do so through Crime Stoppers can at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or leave an anonymous tip online.
If the information provided helps solve the case, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 and you will never have to identify yourself or testify in court, according to Crime Stoppers.
