Four Durham teens face 229 charges in auto theft and break-in spree causing $1M in losses

Durham police charged four teenagers with 229 offences tied to 36 incidents across Durham Region and Toronto. Losses and damages to businesses total nearly $1 million.

Project Magenta: four teen suspects face 229 charges after Durham Region and GTA crime spree

Four teenagers have been charged with a combined 229 offences following a Durham Regional Police investigation into a series of vehicle thefts and commercial break-and-enters across Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, Toronto Sun Crime reports.

The investigation, dubbed Project Magenta, centres on 36 incidents that took place between June and September, resulting in nearly $1 million in known losses and damages to businesses, vehicle owners and the community.

"Organized property crime is not a victimless offence," Durham Regional Police acting Deputy Chief Glenn Courneyea said Thursday. "It causes significant financial harm, undermines the community's perception of safety, and fuels further criminal activity."

Investigators from Durham's West Division Criminal Investigations Branch linked a series of commercial break-and-enters, vehicle thefts, attempted vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles, fraud-related offences and the use of stolen vehicles in the commission of those crimes.

Smash-and-grab at card shops triggered the probe

Police say the investigation began after two smash-and-grab break-ins at trading card retailers in Ajax on June 14, resulting in approximately $148,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Investigators subsequently linked the group to a break-and-enter at Oliver Jewellery in Pickering. The suspects allegedly used stolen vehicles to force their way into jewelry stores, cannabis dispensaries, trading card retailers and pawn shops. A total of 15 vehicles were stolen during the crime spree.

The accused

Mahith Sivananthan, 18, of Pickering, faces the most charges among the four, including 10 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, 14 counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, six counts of theft under $5,000, three counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle and 24 counts of disguise with intent.

Mohammad Sakrak, 18, of Toronto, is charged with six counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle and four counts of disguise with intent.

A 15-year-old boy from Pickering and a 16-year-old boy from Toronto, neither of whom can be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, are each charged with numerous offences including break-and-enter, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and possession of break-in instruments.

All four were arrested without incident and held for a bail hearing.

Investigation ongoing; further charges expected

The investigation remains active as investigators continue to review evidence seized during the execution of search warrants. Police say further charges are anticipated.

All allegations have yet to be proven in court.

Anyone with information, surveillance footage, dashcam footage or cellphone video related to these incidents is asked to contact Durham Regional Police at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 1905, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Toronto Sun Crime