The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has arrested and charged a second man in connection with an extensive auto fraud investigation, bringing the total number of offences to over 100.
According to a news release, the investigation began in July when officers from 53 Division identified suspicious activities related to fraudulent vehicle transfers at ServiceOntario locations.
In August, authorities arrested Winkle Lejarde, 43, of Toronto, after ServiceOntario staff helped link him to multiple vehicle-related frauds dating back to November 2023.
On September 7, investigators executed a search warrant that led to the arrest of Kris Kattick, 34, also from Toronto. Kattick faces a total of 103 charges, including 17 counts of uttering forged documents, eight counts of fraud over $5,000, and nine counts of attempted fraud over $5,000, among other related offences.
He was scheduled to appear in court on September 8.
The TPS is urging the public to obtain and review vehicle history reports to protect themselves from purchasing stolen or repossessed cars. In their news release, they highlighted common signs of potential fraud, such as sudden color changes on new vehicles, decreasing odometer readings between owners, and indications that the vehicle was previously exported without an import certificate back to Canada.