NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a 47-year-old man following thefts of high-end vehicles from dealerships.
The investigation began on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, when police were notified of a theft of a Porsche Panamara that had occurred at a dealership located in the area of McCowan Road and Bullock Drive in the City of Markham. Investigators discovered that a suspect had been looking at the vehicle with an employee of the dealership, then drove away.
Two more similar incidents occurred at dealerships in the area.
On Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, the suspect attended a car dealership in the area of Steeles Avenue East and Woodbine Avenue. The suspect had requested a test drive of an Audi RS7. The suspect started the vehicle and drove away.
On Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, the suspect attended another car dealership located on Kennedy Road at Castan Avenue. Again, the suspect requested to test drive a Mercedes SUV. He started the vehicle and drove away.
Later, on Sept. 15, the vehicle was observed in a parking lot by investigators. When officers attempted to apprehend the suspect and the stolen vehicle, one police vehicle was damaged in an attempt to flee before the driver ran away on foot.
An attempt to carjack another vehicle from the parking lot was unsuccessful.
An image of the accused is being released to ensure that no other similar incidents have occurred that have not yet been reported to police.
Joseph Roland Arsene Racine, 47, of St Andrews West is charged with:
- Theft of motor vehicle over $5,000 x3
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Robbery
- Criminal negligence
- Dangerous operation
- Resist arrest
- Breach of probation
- Failure to stop after accident
The accused has been held in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876- 5423, ext. 7541 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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