Adedokun Waliyu 
Seven members of a suspected auto theft ring were arrested and charged following a nine-month investigation by Toronto Police.
Police say the investigation, dubbed Project Safari, began in February by officers at 53 Division.
Following the arrests, investigators seized cash, several luxury vehicles and other items worth approximately $1.5 million.
During the investigation, cops learned that suspects were allegedly conspiring with employees at ServiceOntario, who were trafficking in driving and vehicle data taken from the Ministry of Transportation database.
It is alleged that employees at ServiceOntario would provide the accused with vehicle and driver information, including addresses. The accused would then steal the vehicles.
Employees at ServiceOntario would also provide the accused with fraudulent vehicle registrations and vehicle identification numbers (VIN), police said.
The stolen vehicles were then sold in the Toronto area to unsuspecting buyers as used vehicles or were used to commit other crimes.
Between July and October, police say 25 search warrants were executed on residences, commercial garages, ServiceOntario branches and vehicles.
Investigators were able to locate and recover several stolen automobiles in addition to equipment, tools and electronics used by the accused to steal the vehicles. The search warrants also revealed that the amount of people who had their data trafficked by the accused numbered in the hundreds.
Keerthan Mangaleswaran, 29, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of failing to comply with a release order, three counts of operating a conveyance while prohibited, two counts of identity theft, seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, 12 counts of tampering with a Vehicle Identification Number, fraud Over $5,000, four counts of obstructing a peace officer, and procures to make an identity document.
Gobi Yogarajah, 25, of Toronto, was charged with two counts of failing to comply with a release order, purchasing automobile master key, possession of automobile master key, possession of break and enter instrument, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and tampering with a Vehicle Identification Number.
Milosha Ariyaratnam, 29, of Toronto, was charged with obstructing justice, five counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, 11 counts of tampering with a Vehicle Identification Number, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Kajan Jokanajakam, 32, of Oshawa, was charged with obstructing justice.
Howard Lee, 25, of Markham, was charged with two counts of possession of identity information for the purpose of trafficking, five counts of breach of trust by a public officer, fraud over $5,000, and four counts of obstructing a peace officer.
Doneika Jackson, 38, of Toronto, and Andrea Fernandes, 30, of Vaughn, were both charged with breach of trust by a public officer and trafficking in identity information.
