Traffic stop on 401 leads to dozens of vehicle theft charges
Four people from the Montreal area are facing dozens of criminal charges linked to vehicle thefts, Ontario Provincial Police said Monday.
OPP officers pulled over two vehicles on Highway 401 eastbound near the Thousand Islands Bridge Sunday morning because of a traffic offence. According to an OPP news release, one of the vehicles had been reported stolen.
Three people between the ages of 19 and 21, all from Montreal, and a 31-year-old from Laval, Que. are each facing a slew of charges, some of which include theft of a motor vehicle, possession of break-in instruments, possessing automobile master key, mischief to computer data and possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Accused are Kevin Cesar, 21, Iverson Brisson, 20, and Abelina Alceus Villegas, 19. Cesar is also charged with breach of probation and driving without a licence, among other offences and Alceus Villegas is facing a charge of obstructing a peace officer.
Colbert Aluc, 31, of Laval is also facing several charges including theft of a motor vehicle and mischief to computer data.
High-end vehicles with proximity keys are popular targets for thieves. Technology exists to copy or exploit the data that links the owner’s key to the vehicle, allowing thieves to simply unlock and start the car themselves. Police claim these thefts can take place in less than a minute.
Ottawa police said Monday that a man was hurt after confronting two would-be thieves who were trying to steal his SUV in a mall parking lot this weekend. Police have claimed that more than 1,000 vehicles have been reported stolen in Ottawa so far this year, including nearly 200 in November alone.
OPP said the four accused in this case have been held for bail hearings.
FULL LIST OF CHARGES
Kevin Cesar, 21, Iverson Brisson, 20, and Abelina Alceus Villegas, 19 are charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 - Criminal Code 354(1)(a)
- Theft over $5000 of a motor vehicle - CC 334(a)
- Conspiracy to commit indictable offence - CC 465(1)(c)
- Possession of break in instruments - CC 351(1)
- Possessing automobile master key - CC 353(1)(b)
- Mischief to computer data, destroy or alter - CC 430(1.1)(a)
- Mischief under $5000 - CC 430(4)
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 - CC 354(1)(a)
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose - CC 88
- Possession of imitation weapon for dangerous purpose - CC 88
Cesar is further charged with:
- Failure to comply with release order - CC 145(5)(a) - four counts
- Fail to comply with probation order - CC 733.1(1) - four counts
- Drive motor vehicle with no licence - Highway Traffic Act (HTA) 32(1)
- Drive vehicle with cannabis readily available - Cannabis Control Act, 2017 (CCA) 12(1)
Alceus Villegas has also been charged with:
- Obstruct Peace Officer, section 129(a) of the Criminal Code.
Brisson has been additionally charged with:
- Two counts of breach of recognizance, section 811 of the Criminal Code.
Colbert Aluc, 31, has been charged with:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 - CC 354(1)(a)
- Mischief to computer data, destroy or alter - CC 430(1.1)(a)
- Theft over $5000 of a motor vehicle - CC 334(a)
- Mischief under $5000 - CC 430(4)
- Conspiracy to commit indictable offence - CC 465(1)(c)
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 - CC 354(1)(a)
- Fail to comply with probation order - CC 733.1(1) - two counts
- Possession of a schedule I substance, Cocaine - Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) 4(1)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.