Six people have been arrested, 63 charges have been laid, and 13 stolen vehicles have been recovered following an investigation by the Toronto Police Service’s Hold Up Squad into the theft and trafficking of motor vehicles.
In August 2024, members of the Hold Up Squad commenced an investigation into the trafficking of stolen motor vehicles.
On Friday, September 13, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted and examined a shipping container related to the investigation. The Hold Up Squad members liaised with CBSA officers and determined that the six vehicles inside the container were stolen from Toronto, York Region, Peel Region, Halton Region.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the TPS Hold Up Squad executed six search warrants on Friday, January 24, 2025, with the assistance of the Public Safety Response Team and 32, 41 and 42 Division Major Crime Units. Five suspects were taken into custody.
During the searches, it is further alleged that officers recovered a replica handgun, ammunition, a GPS jammer and other items of evidentiary value related to the investigation. Officers also recovered eight vehicles that had been stolen in Toronto, Halton, Durham and Ottawa.
Khalad Alazrak, 57, of Toronto, was charged with seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking, two counts of possession of a device to commit theft, and three counts of tampering with a vehicle identification number.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, room 205.
Wajdi Shamsa, 40, of Toronto, was charged with six counts of possession of property obtained by crime over possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking and possession of a device to commit theft. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, room 205.
Belal Khaled Alazrak, 31, of Ajax, was charged with seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over for trafficking, two counts of possession of a device to commit theft, and three counts of tampering with a vehicle identification number. He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, room 107.
Mohammad Najjar, 28, of Toronto, was charged with six counts of possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking and possession of a device to commit theft. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, room 205.
Ahmad Khaled Ahmad Shawer, 27, of Toronto, was charged with seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over for trafficking, two counts of possession of a device to commit theft, and three counts of tampering with a vehicle identification number. He was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, room 107.
Metib Ali Awwad Elfawair, 20, of Toronto, was charged with six counts of possession of property obtained by crime over possession of property obtained by crime for trafficking possession of a device to commit theft. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ontario Court of Justice, 10 Armoury Street, room 205.
