When animal welfare officers swooped into a Brampton auto repair shop last Thursday, they weren’t just rescuing a neglected dog. They uncovered what police are calling an elaborate fraud operation involving stolen vehicles worth over $100,000.
The investigation began as a routine animal welfare check at a commercial garage near Steeles Avenue and Kennedy Road. Peel Animal Services had received a tip about a dog in distress, but what officers discovered went far beyond animal neglect.
“The dog was clearly in poor condition, living in an inappropriate environment,” said Maya Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Peel Animal Services. “But while securing the animal, our officers noticed several vehicles in various stages of disassembly that didn’t align with legitimate repair operations.”
The animal services team alerted Peel Regional Police, who obtained a search warrant and discovered three luxury vehicles reported stolen from Toronto and York Region over the past month. According to Detective Sergeant Carlos Menendez, who leads Peel’s Auto Theft Unit, the operation appears to have been dismantling vehicles for parts and fraudulent resale.
“We’ve seen an uptick in these operations using legitimate businesses as fronts,” Menendez explained during yesterday’s press briefing. “What makes this case unique is how the animal cruelty complaint blew the operation wide open.”
Court documents show police seized a 2022 Range Rover, a 2023 Lexus GX, and a 2021 Mercedes GLE—all with altered vehicle identification numbers. Tools used for VIN tampering were also recovered from a hidden room behind the shop’s main service area.
Three individuals face multiple charges including possession of property obtained by crime, fraud over $5,000, and tampering with vehicle identification numbers. The garage owner, identified as 42-year-old Hardeep Singh, faces additional charges of animal cruelty under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act.
The rescued dog, a two-year-old Cane Corso with untreated injuries and signs of malnutrition, has been placed in veterinary care. Dr. Anita Patel of the Brampton Animal Hospital confirmed the dog showed signs of prolonged neglect but is expected to recover.
“He was severely underweight with multiple pressure sores and an untreated leg injury,” Patel said. “The conditions in which he was kept—surrounded by automotive chemicals and with minimal shelter—could have proven fatal.”
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of auto theft rings in the Greater Toronto Area. According to data from the Insurance Bureau of Canada, auto theft claims in Ontario have increased by nearly 50% since 2021, with luxury SUVs being primary targets.
“These aren’t joyriders,” said James Davidson, an investigator with the IBC. “We’re seeing organized operations that can dismantle vehicles within hours and either ship parts internationally or reintroduce altered vehicles into the legitimate market.”
Community members near the auto shop expressed shock but not complete surprise. Maria Gonzalez, who works at a nearby convenience store, told me she’d noticed unusual late-night activity at the garage.
“Sometimes they’d be working until 2 or 3 in the morning with the bay doors barely open,” Gonzalez said. “I thought they were just busy, but now it makes sense why they always seemed to pull tarps over the cars when delivery trucks came by.”
The Peel Regional Police Auto Theft Unit has established a dedicated tip line, as investigators believe the operation may be connected to other vehicle thefts across the GTA. They’re particularly interested in speaking with customers who may have unknowingly purchased parts from the facility.
The investigation has sparked renewed calls for stronger regulations in the automotive repair industry. The Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario has long advocated for enhanced licensing requirements that would include regular inspections of facilities.
“This case demonstrates how these operations can fly under the radar,” said Diane Wong, executive director of AARO. “We need a regulatory framework that prot
