Two people face a slew of charges in connection with what police are calling a rash of warm-up thefts across Markham and Vaughan that began in October.

Between Oct. 29 and Feb. 25, 48 vehicles left unattended and idling were taken from residential driveways, police say.

A lengthy and intensive investigation by the York police Auto/Cargo Theft Unit led to the recovery of seven vehicles and the March 10 arrests of two people.

Police recovered shipping containers with the stolen vehicles after attempts were made to ship them overseas.

Roger Shearer, 40, of Toronto, has been charged with 12 counts of theft and possession over $5,000 involving the theft of motor vehicles and one count of conspiracy to commit theft.

A 17-year-old male from Toronto faces two counts of theft and possession over $5,000, and one count of conspiracy to commit theft.

Vaughan Today
In print: March 20, 2009, page 4
Online: March 23, 2009 [link]