Theft from Ford plant in Oakville leads to charges against residents of Mississauga, Brampton

Five people, including one from Mississauga and another from Brampton, are facing charges after more than a dozen vehicles were stolen from the Ford Motor Company plant in Oakville earlier this month.

Halton Regional Police have arrested five people and recovered many of the vehicles stolen in the brazen theft.

According to police, the break-and-enter occurred overnight on Jan. 7-8 at the plant, which is located at 1 Canadian Rd. Thieves cut a large hole in the exterior fence surrounding the property and stole 14 new Ford Edge vehicles, with a total value of about $630,000.

Following an investigation by Halton officers, in cooperation with neighbouring police services, 12 of the vehicles were recovered across the GTA.

On Jan. 9, Tom Thibault-Levesque, 35, of no fixed address, and Barbara Veronica Rachwal, 36, of Mississauga, were arrested in Mississauga.

Thibault-Levesque has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking; and possession of a prohibited weapon. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Rachwal has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and was released on an undertaking.

On Jan. 10, James Park, 34, of Bowmanville, and Kamorey Mitchell, 33, of Brampton, were arrested in Scarborough.

Park has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Park was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Mitchell has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and breaching a weapons prohibition. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Joseph Wells, 42, of Rockwood, was arrested last week. Police haven’t specified what Wells is charged with.

Other arrests in relation to this investigation have been made by neighbouring police services. However, no charges have been laid in relation to the initial break-in at the Ford plant.

The investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2216. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or on the website.