Over Five Million Dollars Recovered in Connection with Project Jack Links

In April 2025, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) launched a criminal investigation following the theft of a single Lexus SUV.

What initially appeared to be an isolated incident quickly evolved into a complex investigation into organized auto theft networks operating across Southern Ontario.

Since November 2025, NRPS detectives have investigated more than 50 thefts and attempted thefts involving newer model Lexus and Toyota vehicles within the Niagara Region, with estimated losses exceeding $20 million across Southern Ontario.

In response to the growing trend, investigators launched Project Jack Links in December 2025, targeting organized criminal groups involved in the theft and trafficking of high-end vehicles throughout the region.

Through the investigation, detectives identified multiple distinct and independent criminal networks operating within Southern Ontario.  Investigators learned these groups function separately but share a common objective of targeted theft of high-end vehicles for transport out of the province before the eventual trafficking to overseas markets for resale.

The NRPS has engaged several partner agencies, including the Hamilton Police Service B.E.A.R Unit, Halton Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM), Surete du Quebec (SQ), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO), and Équité Association

Through these collaborative partnerships, the NRPS has shared intelligence and operational information related to motor vehicle theft investigations, the recovery of stolen vehicles, and identified individuals and groups believed to be involved in organized auto theft activity.

The NRPS has determined that the individuals charged are believed to be responsible for more than 112 motor vehicle theft-related occurrences.  While the majority of these incidents occurred within the Niagara Region, the investigation also identified related thefts across several communities within the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding communities, including Hamilton, Brantford, Caledonia, Oakville, Burlington, London, Waterloo, Cambridge, Etobicoke, and Toronto.

As a result of this ongoing investigation, NRPS detectives facilitated multiple phases of search warrant executions targeting the identified criminal groups. 

On January 8, 2026, two 17-year-old male youths from St. Catharines were arrested and charged in connection with a series of motor vehicle theft investigations.  In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the identities of the youths cannot be released.  Collectively, the accused were charged with 11 Criminal Code offences, including:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355(a)
• 2 counts of Disguised with Intent, contrary to section 351(2)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order, contrary to section 145(5)(a)
• 3 counts of Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 463(b) 
• 2 counts of Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1(1) 
• 2 counts of Use of Credit Card, contrary to section 342(1)(c)(i) 
• 2 counts of Theft under $5000 from Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 334(b)
• Fail to Comply with Sentence, contrary to section 137 of the YCJA

On April 14, 2026, members of the NRPS including detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake), and 3 District (Welland/Pelham) Criminal Investigations Branches, the 2 District Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit, Auto Theft Unit, Forensic Services Unit, and uniform officers from 1 and 2 Districts, partnered with the Hamilton Police B.E.A.R Unit to execute a search warrant at a residence in Hamilton as part of the ongoing investigation. 

As a result, 18-year-old Nemr ALAWAD and 23-year-old Farouk ALAWAD, both of Hamilton, were arrested and charged.  

Farouk ALAWAD has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c)
• Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 463(a) 
• Trafficking in Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355.5(a)
• 2 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355(a)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1
• Possession of Electronic Devices Used for Motor Vehicle Theft, contrary to section 333.2(1) 
• Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 320.12(1) 
• Fail to Comply with Undertaking, contrary to section 145(4)(a) 
• Possession of a Prohibited or a Restricted Weapon or Prohibited Device, contrary to section 92(2)

Nemr ALAWAD has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

• 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c)
• Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 463(a) 
• Trafficking in Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355.5(a)
• 2 counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355(a)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1
• Possession of Electronic Devices Used for Motor Vehicle Theft, contrary to section 333.2(1) 
• Possession of a Prohibited or a Restricted Weapon or Prohibited Device contrary to section 92(2)
• 2 counts Fail to Comply with Undertaking, contrary to section 145(4)(a)

On May 14, 2026, members of the NRPS including detectives from the 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold), 2 District (Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake), 3 District (Welland/Pelham), and 8 District (Grimsby, Lincoln/West Lincoln) Criminal Investigations Branches, the 2 and 3 District Street Crime Units, and the 2 District Community Oriented Response and Engagement (CORE) Unit, with assistance from uniform members of Peel Regional Police and the Halton Regional Police Service Organized Crime Unit, executed four search warrants at locations across Mississauga and Oakville.

As a result of the coordinated enforcement action, five male youths between the ages of 16 and 17 were arrested.  In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the identities of the youths cannot be released.  Collectively, the youths were charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

• Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 465(1)(c)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime for Trafficking Exceeding $5000, contrary to section 355.5(a) 
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355(a)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1
• Attempt to Commit an Offence, contrary to section 463(a) 
• Possession of Electronic Devices for Motor Vehicle Theft, contrary to section 333.2(1)
• Fail to Comply with Release Order, contrary to section 145(5)(a)
• Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 320.12(1) 

Numerous stolen vehicles were recovered at the Port of Montreal through the collaborative efforts of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Investigators determined that the stolen vehicles were being prepared for export and were destined for ports located in West Africa.

Investigators have also identified additional suspects believed to be connected to the organized auto theft network.  As a result of the ongoing investigation, warrants have been issued for the following individuals:

20-year-old Ryan Ramayah PERMAULOO of North Dumfries, Ontario, for the following Criminal Code offences:

• 2 counts of Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1 
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000, contrary to section 355(a)
• Possession of Electronic Devices Used for Motor Vehicle Theft, contrary to section 333.2(1)
• Attempt to Commit an Indictable Offence, contrary to section 463(a) 
• Disguised with Intent, contrary to section 351(2)
• 2 counts of Fail to Comply with Release Order, contrary to section 145(5)(a)
• Possession of Electronic Devices Used for Motor Vehicle Theft, contrary to section 333.2(1)

22-year-old Mamadi KABA of Quebec, for the following Criminal Code offences:

• Mischief under $5000, contrary to section 430(4)
• Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to section 333.1
• Operation While Prohibited, contrary to section 320.18
• Fail to Comply with Release Order, contrary to section 145(5)(a)
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order, contrary to section 733.1(1)

This investigation by the NRPS remains active and ongoing, with investigators continuing to review electronic and digital evidence, as well as forensic materials seized throughout the course of the investigation.  Investigators anticipate further arrests and charges in the coming weeks as the investigation progresses. 

Investigators believe the investigation will lead to further arrests linked to more than 100 additional vehicle thefts across Ontario, involving millions of dollars in stolen property.

“Project Jack Links highlights the growing impact organized auto theft networks are having on communities not only across Ontario, but across Canada,” said Chief of Police Bill Fordy.  “What started as the theft of a single vehicle quickly uncovered a much larger and highly coordinated criminal operation spanning several jurisdictions.

I want to recognize the exceptional work of our investigators and thank our broader policing and border enforcement partners for their collaboration throughout this investigation.  Working together, we were able to recover stolen vehicles destined for overseas markets while disrupting organized criminal activity and identifying individuals believed to be connected to dozens of theft-related offences.

These investigations are complex and far-reaching, and they reinforce how critical intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement efforts are in addressing organized crime networks that continue to target our communities.”

As public awareness surrounding the increase in targeted vehicle thefts continues to grow, residents and visitors are reminded to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. Police encourage the public to always lock vehicle doors, remove valuables and keys/fobs from inside vehicles, and avoid leaving wallets, purses, identification, garage door openers, or electronic devices in plain view. Where possible, park vehicles in well-lit areas, secured garages, or monitored locations, and consider the use of steering wheel locks or aftermarket tracking devices for additional protection.

Anyone who observes suspicious activity around vehicles or within neighbourhoods is encouraged to contact police immediately.

In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, call 9-1-1.

Non-emergency incidents and suspicious activity can also be reported by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Niagara online, or by calling 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

The successful completion of this investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario supported this investigation.

About Équité Association

As the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité Association is a not-for-profit organization supporting Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurers. Équité combats the insurance crime problem that takes advantage of vulnerable Canadians by deploying advanced analytics, intelligence best practices, and coordinated investigations. Delivering improved service and fraud analytics for vehicle, property, and cargo recovery to its members, Équité collaborates with law enforcement, partners and industry organizations to protect Canadians against exploitation.